River Bank (La Berge) 1930

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac made this drawing, River Bank, most likely with pen and ink, where trees are depicted using rapid hatching. Imagine him outside, on location, drawing this landscape, translating the three-dimensional scene into two dimensions. What was he thinking? Maybe he wanted to capture how the leaves filter the light, or to give a sense of the stillness near the water. See how the marks are more tightly packed to create darker areas. I like the rhythm of the trees and the contrast of light and shadow. It reminds me a bit of the early landscapes by Cezanne, but with a lighter touch. Artists are constantly talking to each other through their work, across time. This piece makes me think about how each mark carries energy, and how the artist’s presence is felt through the process. Instead of aiming for a perfect depiction, it feels like Dunoyer de Segonzac embraced the imperfections, finding beauty in the everyday.