Dorpsgezicht 1872 - 1939

Egbert Rubertus Derk Schaap made this village scene with delicate strokes of graphite on paper. The artist is really thinking through the process, isn't he? Look at how Schaap uses the graphite to create an image that is both solid and dreamlike. The textured lines of the trees and buildings create a sense of depth, while the blank areas give space for the imagination. You can almost feel the quiet stillness of the scene, the subtle tones evoking a sense of calm, like a quiet afternoon stroll. Notice that mark making? How the lines aren't perfectly straight but have a slight wobble. It’s this imperfection that gives the drawing its charm and makes it so human. This piece reminds me of the early drawings of Mondrian, where you can see the artist working through representation before breaking down form into abstraction.