Zuster op een ziekenzaal c. 1900 - 1930

Elly Verstijnen made this ink drawing, "Zuster op een ziekenzaal," sometime in the 20th century. It's fascinating how the artist uses simple lines to create a whole scene. The drawing has this delicate, almost fragile quality because of its thin, deliberate lines. Look at how the lines define the nurse's dress, creating folds and volume with just a few strokes. You can sense the pressure of the artist’s hand as it moves across the paper. There's a certain charm in the imperfections, like where the lines wobble ever so slightly. Notice how some lines are bolder than others, giving depth and shadow to the image, especially around the children’s beds. It reminds me of Edward Gorey's quirky illustrations, where the sketchy lines add to the narrative's eerie and whimsical feel. This piece revels in artmaking as a diaristic process, making visible the beauty found in simplicity.