Studies c. 1890 - 1922

This is a study by Johanna van de Kamer, made with watercolor on paper. Look at the way she's laid down these delicate washes and concentrated strokes, it feels so immediate, like capturing a fleeting thought. The ochre wash that dominates the right side feels like a field of light, hazy and undefined, but full of potential. Then, these almost botanical marks on the left. See how the drips and bleeds of the watercolor create this lovely organic texture, like the lifeblood of the image seeping through. I keep coming back to the way these elements are set up in direct contrast to each other. It reminds me of Morandi’s still lifes, the way he could turn everyday objects into these profound meditations on seeing and being. Like Morandi, Van de Kamer embraces uncertainty, inviting us to look closer and see what emerges.