Tweemaal de staart van een vis, met kleurnotities 1876 - 1924

This sketch of two fish tails with color notations was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, though the exact date is unknown. The artist rendered this study on paper using graphite; the immediacy and comparative low cost of these materials are in themselves significant. Dijsselhof used a layering technique, creating tone and texture through the density of his marks, and building up a sense of form and movement. This process is not only about recording visual information but also engaging with the inherent qualities of the graphite itself: its capacity to smudge, to create subtle gradations, and to capture the delicate nuances of light and shadow. Dijsselhof was closely associated with the Dutch Arts and Crafts movement and his art often reflected his profound appreciation for the natural world. In this drawing, we see a clear example of how humble materials can give rise to aesthetic value, challenging the hierarchy between "high art" and craft traditions.