Gezadelde en bepakte ezels op een straat 1848 - 1888

Here in the Rijksmuseum is a drawing by Anton Mauve titled, "Gezadelde en bepakte ezels op een straat." With understated precision, Mauve captures a street scene through a skeletal structure of pencil lines. The composition is balanced, yet informal. The lines create a sense of depth and movement. Mauve employs a semiotic language of sparse strokes. The donkeys and figures, rendered with minimal detail, function as signs within a visual field. The network of lines implies a system of meaning, where each stroke contributes to the overall representation. This approach reflects a move away from detailed realism towards a more abstract, structural depiction of reality. Consider how Mauve challenges traditional artistic values through form. The work invites us to see beyond the surface, engaging with the underlying structures that constitute our perception of the world.