Zeilboten op het water c. 1868s - 1878s

This is a pencil drawing entitled "Zeilboten op het water" or "Sailboats on the water" by Jan Willem van Borselen. The drawing is divided across two pages, creating a diptych-like composition. Notice how the linear quality of the pencil work emphasizes form and structure. The sailboats are rendered with quick, expressive lines that capture their shape. The composition balances the placement of the boats, which invites you to see the relationships between the objects. The materiality of the paper is critical; the rough texture interacts with the graphite, adding depth and atmospheric perspective to the scene. Borselen invites us to consider how the act of drawing itself shapes our perception and understanding of the world. The drawing is not just a representation but an investigation into the elemental qualities of line, form, and space.