Perspectieftekening 1906 - 1945

This is Reijer Stolk’s "Perspective Drawing", an undated pencil sketch currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Stolk, born in 1896, lived through a period of immense social and political change. Here, we see more than just an exercise in technical skill; this drawing acts as a mirror reflecting the shifting cultural landscape of the early 20th century. The stark, geometric forms suggest a world being rebuilt along rational lines, a sentiment echoed in the artistic movements of the time. Yet, there's also something unsettling about the rigid precision, a coldness that speaks to the potential dehumanization inherent in such systems. As you gaze upon the drawing, consider how Stolk’s world, marked by both progress and profound loss, might have shaped his artistic vision. The drawing invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between order and chaos, between the promise of progress and the ever-present specter of human suffering.