Zes vogels 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made 'Zes vogels', or Six Birds, in pencil on paper; just a light touch, a quick impression of birds. The strokes vary in pressure, some soft and suggestive, others more defined. Look at the patch of diagonal hatching in the top left corner. It’s a study in tone, exploring how closely packed lines can create depth, and how this contrasts with the simple outlines of the birds themselves. There's a real sense of Stolk thinking on the page, of working out the essence of each bird with a few simple marks. I love how the birds are perched on branches that are barely there, just a suggestion of a line. It's like Stolk is saying that sometimes, less is more. It reminds me of drawings by Co Westerik, who also used simple lines to create a sense of movement and life. Art is such a conversation, isn’t it?