Zonnebloem 1919

Julie de Graag made this drawing of a sunflower in 1919, using graphite on paper. The image is striking for its apparent simplicity, yet there’s a real sophistication in the way De Graag has handled the material. Look closely, and you’ll see how she uses the graphite to its full potential. Thick, dark strokes define the leaves and stems, while lighter, almost shimmering lines give form to the petals. The choice of graphite is interesting too. It’s a humble material, associated more with sketching and preliminary studies than with finished artworks. Yet, De Graag elevates it here, demonstrating the expressive potential even of everyday materials. The drawing has a directness, as though she captured the sunflower in a fleeting moment. Ultimately, it’s through close attention to material and process that De Graag transforms a simple subject into something truly captivating, blurring the lines between the sketch and the finished work of art.