Huizen aan een waterkant 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of houses by the water, and it's almost like a love letter to seeing. I'm imagining Vreedenburgh with a sketchbook, finding just the right spot. The pencil lines are so delicate, barely there, like he’s coaxing the buildings onto the page. It’s a dance of observation and mark-making. Look at the rooftops! They’re not just shapes, but textured planes, each stroke a tiny decision, a little thrill. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s quiet grids, but here, there’s this playful wonkiness, a looseness that feels so alive. I bet Vreedenburgh was wrestling with light and shadow. It's a reminder that artists are always in conversation with each other, even across time. You can see him playing, trying things out, and that's an invitation for us to play, too. To see not just what's there, but what could be.