Lezende man en boekverkoper bij een boekenstal c. 1938

Henk Henriët made this drawing of a man reading with a bookseller at a book stall with pencil on paper. It’s all about these delicate lines, a dance of light and shadow, where each stroke feels like a breath. I love how Henriët captures the scene with such sparse detail, focusing on the interaction between the figures. The lines are tentative, almost searching, giving the whole piece a wonderful sense of immediacy, like a fleeting moment caught in time. Notice the bookseller’s face, how it's rendered with just a few simple strokes, yet it speaks volumes. It's like he's inviting us to join this silent conversation about art and books. You know, this drawing reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz, in its raw honesty and attention to the human condition. But Henriët has his own voice, a quiet, gentle presence that lingers long after you’ve walked away. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout to be heard; sometimes, the quietest voices are the most powerful.