Jongen met kussens en deken in een tuin c. 1925 - 1935

A. Tinbergen made this drawing of a boy with pillows and a blanket in a garden, using ink on paper. I love how the scene is built up with these very fine lines; like gossamer threads they create depth and texture, especially in the foliage. You can see that the surface isn't overworked, there is a real lightness of touch. In the dark shadows of the shed, Tinbergen uses a much denser network of lines, almost like a woven surface. This creates a sense of depth and mystery, inviting us to imagine what might be hidden in the dark interior. I’m reminded of Aubrey Beardsley's illustrations; they share a similar fineness of line, and a playful exploration of light and shadow. Art is a visual conversation, a continual exchange of ideas. Just as each artist builds upon the work of those who came before, so too does each viewer bring their unique perspective to the act of interpretation.