Zeis, blad en een olijftak 1892 - 1901

Antoon Derkinderen made this sketch, "Scythe, Leaf and Olive Branch," using graphite on paper. Here, Derkinderen is not making a finished work of art, but rather preparing for one; we see the bones of a composition. The use of graphite is interesting, because of its direct association with labor. Think of a clerk using a pencil, making records. The fleeting nature of graphite on paper is also notable; the artist can quickly capture an idea and just as quickly erase it. The subject matter also touches on issues of labor, as we see the scythe, an agricultural tool associated with harvesting, and physical labor. Consider how the artist's choice of materials and subject matter imbue this sketch with layers of meaning related to work, production, and the fleeting nature of ideas, challenging traditional notions of fine art and craft.