Boerderijen Possibly 1913 - 1917

Curator: Alexander Shilling's drawing, tentatively dated between 1913 and 1917, entitled "Boerderijen," offers us a glimpse into rural landscapes through a seemingly simple sketch. Editor: It certainly does. My immediate reaction is a feeling of starkness. The skeletal lines give it a rather raw and perhaps even lonely feel. Is this intentional or merely a byproduct of the artistic choice to create a pen sketch? Curator: From a formal perspective, the lines are quite economical, conveying volume and texture with minimal strokes. Consider how the varying density of the lines helps distinguish the thatched roofs from the more solid walls. There is an elegance in that reduction, which hints towards the formal aspects of Impressionism, yet not completely driven by visual impressions. Editor: But what does it tell us about rural life at the time? It's fascinating to see how this simplicity becomes loaded with historical context. A drawing such as this challenges Romantic ideals of rural life with almost crude lines—it doesn't seem particularly idealized or embellished, almost documentary in its lack of frills. How do you read this from a stylistic perspective? Curator: Precisely, consider its engagement with the essence of form over faithful representation. Shilling’s strategic marks direct our gaze to crucial structural details—the angle of a roof, the position of a window—without being bogged down by surface ornamentation, offering something beyond simple representation. There seems to be an effort to capture light itself by using specific angles. Editor: It almost makes the artwork seem indifferent. It prompts questions regarding Shilling's intentions and how social currents might have directed or informed his artistic vision at that point in history, given that he drew these between 1913 and 1917 during very turbulent years in Europe. It is perhaps not only a depiction of architecture but a commentary on the times. Curator: I appreciate your take. Viewing this piece has revealed to me the inherent expressive capacity found in simplicity; form dictates interpretation beyond simple lines. Editor: And to me, that simple form has unveiled a window into a complicated period of societal upheaval, captured with an arresting candidness.