Landschap 1885 - 1931

Willem Bastiaan Tholen made this landscape drawing on paper, using graphite and maybe a bit of green crayon. You know, looking at the scribbly, searching lines, I get the sense of artmaking as a process. The texture comes from the paper itself and the way Tholen layered the graphite. It’s not about hiding the process; it’s all right there on the surface. Notice the way the green crayon is laid down in broad, energetic strokes, like the artist was trying to capture the feeling of a breezy day. Then, the darker tones, almost like storm clouds gathering. It's not overly polished or precious, but it still invites you in. There is a spot at the bottom left where he has gone over and over a small shape, perhaps a stone, darkening it. It's like he's inviting us to pause, to really see this little detail. Maybe that’s what art is all about – slowing down, noticing, and finding beauty in the everyday. Looking at it I am reminded of drawings by Van Gogh. You see art is a conversation between artists that continues across generations.