Vijf jongens houden een zwemwedstrijd before 1933

Hans Borrebach made this simple, graphic drawing of five boys holding a swimming race with ink. The black ink creates bold, flowing lines that define the figures and the water around them. Imagine the artist's hand moving quickly across the paper, capturing the energy and splash of the swimmers. The ink looks thin, almost watery, allowing it to bleed slightly into the paper, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. I wonder if the artist was at the swimming race? The simplified forms and strong contrasts remind me of mid-century illustrations. The composition feels playful, almost like a series of vignettes capturing different moments in the race. Borrebach reduces the scene to its essential elements, focusing on the human form and the dynamism of water. This kind of distillation is part of a longer conversation about the relationship between representation and abstraction that goes on and on. This simple drawing is a testament to the enduring power of line to capture life in motion.