Bos in een heuvellandschap 1895 - 1931

Jan Fekkes made this drawing, "Bos in een heuvellandschap," with crayon, evoking a soft and dreamy landscape. I can imagine Fekkes out there, perhaps on a blustery day, quickly capturing the essence of the scene before the light changed. The strokes are short and repetitive, layering to build tone and texture—notice that incredible balance of light and shadow, creating a hazy atmosphere. Look at how he renders the trees: they feel solid yet porous, like they're breathing along with the breeze. I love the little details that add so much personality; that one tree, slightly askew, seems to whisper secrets to the others. Fekkes seems to be in dialogue with tonalist painters like Whistler, or even the Barbizon school, yet it still feels fresh and distinct. These artists are all in conversation, aren't they? Each mark, each decision, is a response to what came before, reimagined through the lens of one's own experience. And it's a great reminder that painting is a continuous process of exploration, offering us new ways of seeing and feeling the world.