Kreeften 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this drawing, called ‘Kreeften’, using graphite and crayon on paper. Dijsselhof embraced the Arts and Crafts movement which stood in opposition to industrialized manufacturing. His choice of traditional, relatively unprocessed media reflects a desire for authenticity. You can almost see him at work, layering the graphite and crayon to conjure these crustaceans. The build-up of marks results in a range of tones, giving a sense of form and depth. Dijsselhof was concerned with the aesthetic potential of everyday subjects. Here, he has found inspiration in the humblest of materials and marine life. By highlighting the drawing’s materiality and the artist's process, we can appreciate the time, labor, and care embedded in this work. This is a deliberate act that elevates craft, challenging established hierarchies within the art world.