Wolken boven water 1921

Carl August Breitenstein made this drawing, "Wolken boven water", with graphite on paper. It's a simple sketch, but the density of the graphite really gives the clouds a stormy, almost ominous feel. I love how Breitenstein captures the movement of the water with these quick, scribbled lines, and the way he suggests the distant skyline with just a few dark marks. It's like he's saying, "Here's the essence of this place, this moment." The texture of the graphite on the paper adds to the raw, immediate quality of the drawing. See that dark mass in the center of the cloud? It's a focal point that draws you in, it’s a reminder that beauty can be found in the most fleeting of moments. Thinking about other artists, there's something about the simplicity and directness of this drawing that reminds me of some of Philip Guston’s later work. He was another artist not afraid to get to the bare bones of seeing. This drawing feels like a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and thinking that evolves over time.