Ruiter te paard 1920

Reijer Stolk made this drawing of a horse and rider in 1920, using what looks like ink on paper. The image is built up from sharp, angular forms, which could be seen as an early exploration of abstraction. I like the fact that the shapes are not solid blocks, but have sketchy underlinings. This gives a sense of depth to the image, as though the forms are floating in space. It also reminds us that the artist is thinking through the image, letting us see his process. Look at the way the artist has used black and white to create a sense of movement and energy. The composition feels dynamic and off-balance, as though the horse and rider are about to burst out of the frame. It reminds me of some of the Futurist paintings from the same period, where artists tried to capture the speed and dynamism of modern life. Stolk seems to be engaged in a similar project, using abstraction to create a new way of seeing the world. It’s definitely a piece that invites you to look closely and let your imagination run wild.