Drie Chinese jongens en een etende kat c. 1900 - 1930

Elly Verstijnen made this work, Drie Chinese jongens en een etende kat, with pen on paper. The drawing has a certain flatness, like a collage. Elly’s decision to render the figures in black and white gives the composition a graphic quality. Notice the intricate linework of the umbrella. The mark-making seems simple, yet carries an incredible weight. Look at the precision of the thin lines used for the umbrella and the contrast with the denser areas, like the cat's body. This interplay emphasizes texture and form, giving depth. This is reminiscent of artists like Henri Matisse, who also explored simplified forms and bold contrasts in his drawings. Elly’s work offers a glimpse into her unique vision, highlighting the beauty of simplicity. Art, after all, is an ongoing conversation across time, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.