Zittende peuter 1891 - 1892

This sketch of a 'Zittende peuter', or 'Seated Toddler', was created by Willem Cornelis Rip, using graphite on paper. The initial impression is one of fluidity and transience, with the soft graphite lines creating a sense of movement. Rip’s emphasis on form is evident in his choice of medium and composition. The loose sketch-like quality of the graphite lends itself to the exploration of shape. We see the child's head rendered almost as a sphere, the body suggested by a collection of lines that intersect to indicate folds of clothing and posture. It is less about capturing a likeness and more about conveying an understanding of the child’s presence through simple, direct means. The sketch's open form, where lines trail off and shapes are incomplete, invites our active participation. It challenges the notion of art as a closed system, proposing instead a dynamic interplay between the work and the viewer.