Studieblad 1884 - 1952

This study sheet was made by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, and it’s hard to say exactly when, but it consists of ink on graph paper. The artist approached the page without hesitation, using confident marks and energetic lines. De Vries seems to be exploring the sheer pleasure of shape making, as the ink twists and curls across the page. Look at how he repeats the same looping form but with subtle variations, like a musician riffing on a melody. The density of the black ink against the grid of the paper creates a captivating tension. There’s a wonderful balance between the rigid structure and the fluidity of the hand-drawn gestures. Notice the smudge on the left, a happy accident that adds to the work’s charm and emphasizes the process of artmaking. De Vries’s work reminds me of Paul Klee’s playful explorations of line and form. Both artists embrace the joy of experimentation and the power of the spontaneous mark. Ultimately, this study sheet invites us to appreciate the beauty of simple gestures and the endless possibilities of drawing.