De Sarusawa vijver 1933

Yoshida Hiroshi created this woodcut print, *De Sarusawa vijver,* now held at the Rijksmuseum, with a sensitivity to colour that feels so very contemporary. The delicate, almost pastel tones are built up in layers, something that speaks to the quiet labour involved in artmaking. Look closely at the surface and you will see how the texture of the paper adds to the overall effect, like a subtle hum beneath the image. The weeping willow, with its cascading branches, is rendered with such precision, each leaf a tiny dab of pigment. It is the detail in these individual marks that make the piece sing. The way the reflections of the trees shimmer on the water’s surface, you can almost feel the breeze. This piece reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, particularly in its quietness, its focus on the beauty of simple forms, and its ability to evoke a sense of peace. Both artists seem to suggest that art is less about making statements than about creating spaces for contemplation.