Bomen rond akkers 1939 - 2009

Kees Stoop created ‘Bomen rond akkers’ using black chalk on paper. The drawing presents a dense copse of trees in the foreground, beyond which lies an open field. Observe how Stoop orchestrates light and shadow through the dense, layered strokes of chalk. The rough texture of the bark in the foreground contrasts with the lighter, softer rendering of the foliage, creating a sense of depth and distance. The horizon line is barely discernible, adding to the composition’s claustrophobic and enclosing feel. Stoop was working at a time when artists were deeply engaged in rethinking traditional representation. ‘Bomen rond akkers’ reduces the landscape to a play of textures and tones, reflecting a formalist approach that favors the intrinsic qualities of the medium over representational accuracy. Notice how the artist employs a limited palette and a concentration on texture to evoke a particular mood. This emphasis encourages us to consider the drawing not just as a representation, but as an object with its own material presence, capable of conveying emotion through its very form.