Rivierbocht, in de verte huizen 1929

Pieter Ras made this drawing of a river view, with houses in the distance, most likely on site with pencil on paper. Imagine the artist there, with the wind blowing, squinting at the scene, making quick, light marks to capture the essence of the place. See how the pencil lines are feathery and soft, creating a sense of atmosphere and quietude. What I like about this is the way it sort of hangs in the air. Ras's mark-making reminds me of the way some of the Impressionist painters worked, trying to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. He shares an interest in the world with artists like James McNeil Whistler, who also had a real love for tonal harmonies. I'm very sympathetic to the artist sketching outside, trying to capture the landscape. All these artists are speaking to each other across time, influencing each other’s way of seeing and understanding the world. Painting is an ongoing conversation, always changing and evolving.