Studieblad met eenden 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this study of ducks with a pencil on paper. It looks like a page from a sketchbook, a testament to the artist's close observation and her interest in capturing the essence of these creatures in motion. I love how the marks are so simple and direct. The lines are thin and delicate, giving the ducks a light, airy quality. There's an economy of detail, almost like a shorthand for "duckness." Notice how De Graag varies the pressure of her pencil, creating subtle shifts in tone and depth. It's as if she's feeling her way around the form, exploring its contours and weight. The ducks are distributed loosely over the page, each inhabiting its own little space. This approach to mark-making reminds me of Agnes Martin’s subtle and meditative drawings. There's a similar sense of quiet contemplation. But whereas Martin’s work is about pure abstraction, De Graag grounds her exploration in the natural world. Like with any good drawing, the real subject here is the process itself.