Vrouw etend van vrucht 1970

Rein Dool made this lithograph, Vrouw etend van vrucht, sometime around 1970. The black ink on paper gives it a stark, graphic feel, like a page torn from a mysterious story. The drawing has this fantastic quality, using the bare minimum of lines to suggest so much volume. Look at the way the hatch marks define the cheek and jaw. It’s all about suggestion, leaving space for our imagination to fill in the blanks. The solid black background pushes the figure forward, making her seem even more present. The lines aren’t precious; they’re direct and honest, revealing the hand of the artist in every stroke. Think about the way Picasso used line, or even some of Matisse’s more pared-down drawings. There's a similar confidence and a refusal to overwork the image. It’s a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about capturing a feeling, a moment, a truth.