Tuinierende man, op de rug gezien 1892 - 1916

Rik Wouters created this ink drawing of a gardener, seen from behind. I'm always fascinated by the first marks in a drawing, especially the ones made with a loaded brush and wet ink. Look at the dark, confident lines that define the figure. It’s as if Wouters was feeling his way, allowing the ink to bleed a little, guided by intuition. I imagine him, brush in hand, thinking about how much to commit, how much to leave unsaid. He's got the economy of a Zen master; just a few strokes and we get the whole vibe. The drawing reminds me of other artists who are good at reduction – like Matisse, for example. It’s all about finding the essence, right? Like, what’s the least I can do to make you see what I see? These artists are connected through time, each riffing off the other, creating this beautiful, ongoing conversation. It’s a process of constant discovery, where meaning shifts and emerges, and there's always room for ambiguity, for uncertainty, and for interpretation.