Schuur 1888 - 1889

Editor: Here we have Alexander Shilling's "Schuur," sketched around 1888-1889, rendered in pencil and ink on paper. I find it quite raw; the artist seems more interested in capturing the structure than in portraying picturesque details. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Indeed. From a formalist standpoint, observe how Shilling employs line. Note the density of hatching on the building's shadowed side compared to the lighter touch defining the haystacks. The architectural form is established through a strategic manipulation of value, achieved purely through the density and directionality of line work. Do you notice the interplay between the structural solidity of the barn and the ephemeral quality of the surrounding landscape? Editor: Yes, the building definitely feels more solid. The haystacks almost seem to dissolve into the page. I'm curious, why do you focus so much on line? Curator: Line, in this context, functions as a foundational element. It dictates not just form, but also the tonal relationships and spatial dynamics within the composition. How Shilling articulates edges and defines planes becomes crucial in understanding his aesthetic intentions. We must consider the basic semiotic components. Editor: So, it’s less about what the barn *is*, and more about how Shilling *shows* it to us? Curator: Precisely. The "barn-ness," if you will, is a result of the formal strategies employed. The variations in line weight, the angular relationships between the roof and walls... all construct meaning irrespective of any symbolic associations we might attach to the subject matter. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely look more closely at line and texture in drawings now. Thank you. Curator: A closer consideration of intrinsic, formal relationships yields great insight; an aesthetic investigation should be pursued.