Drie Zeeuwse kinderen 1903

Jan Toorop made this drawing, *Three Zeeland Children*, with pen in hand, thinking in lines. I wonder what it was like for Toorop to watch these kids. He reduces what he sees down to just what is needed. There is this amazing economy of means—but where does it come from? What does he leave out? What does he put in? He's playing with these oppositions, these reductions and augmentations—like they are thoughts or ideas. His lines almost have a sculptural feel, like he's chiseling away at the form of these children. I am always touched to see artists looking and learning from other artists across generations. They make these quiet and generous exchanges that build on each other. A drawing like this makes me want to run back to the studio and make something myself, not knowing exactly what. It embraces uncertainty, and it becomes something different with every new viewer.