Studieblad met op de ene helft een straat en op de ander diverse figuurstudies 1870 - 1931

This drawing by Willem Bastiaan Tholen, housed in the Rijksmuseum, presents a study sheet divided into two distinct parts. On the left, a street scene is rendered with quick, suggestive lines that capture the essence of urban architecture and the figures moving through the space. The lines converge to create depth, pulling the eye along the street. To the right, a series of figure studies offer a contrasting focus on individual forms and postures. Tholen’s sketch is not just a preliminary exercise, it is a demonstration of how line alone can define form, space, and human presence. This division encourages a comparative reading of the artwork, juxtaposing urban space with human form and suggesting a dynamic interplay between environment and inhabitant. The study invites us to reflect on the relationship between the individual and their surroundings.