Heuvellandschap bij Baden-Baden 1916

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this pastel drawing of a hilly landscape, probably in the late 19th or early 20th century. The colors are muted, soft greens and blues, blended together in a way that gives the impression of distance and atmosphere. It’s the kind of color palette that speaks to the ephemeral and transient nature of seeing. Looking at the drawing, you can almost feel the texture of the pastel on the paper. It’s not quite smooth, not quite rough, but somewhere in between. See how the artist layers the colors to create depth and shadow, especially in the trees in the foreground? The greens and blues overlap, mixing in certain areas, like they’re jostling to take up space on the page. It’s a great example of how the physicality of the medium, pastel in this case, can shape our experience of the artwork. This piece reminds me of the work of Whistler, whose landscapes and seascapes share a similar interest in capturing fleeting moments and atmospheric effects. Ultimately, this drawing speaks to the beauty of art as an ongoing conversation.