Vignet met zittende vrouw 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this work on paper using graphite and possibly colored pencil. Though seemingly simple, the work invites us to consider the relationship between drawing and industrial production. The weave of the paper support is clearly visible, and the subtle tonal variations of the graphite reveal the artist’s hand at work. Yet, the work is reminiscent of a printed page, with the marks appearing as if they could be typographic elements. The artist's choice of humble materials and the labor-intensive process of drawing contrasts with the rise of mass production and mechanical reproduction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial processes, Dijsselhof's drawing serves as a reminder of the value and importance of craft traditions. By emphasizing the handmade, the work challenges us to reconsider the distinctions between art and craft.