Schelp op tafel 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this beautiful drawing of a shell on a table with graphite on paper. It’s interesting to think about how drawing, like any art form, is a process of making something out of almost nothing. The texture of the paper is so important here, you can almost feel its grain. The soft, powdery graphite creates a range of tones. This gives the shell its volume, and also gives the impression of light, as if the shell is emerging from the shadows. Look at how she renders the fabric, with those delicate, almost tentative lines. They’re not overly descriptive, but they suggest the weight and drape of the material. The way De Graag handles the graphite reminds me of Odilon Redon, he also had that talent for conjuring dreamlike images from simple means. Like Redon, she shows us that art isn’t just about representing the world but about creating a space for contemplation and imagination.