Landschap met bomen en weide aan een rivier 1870 - 1931

This is "Landschap met bomen en weide aan een rivier", a graphite drawing by Willem Bastiaan Tholen. The composition, rendered in varying shades of gray, immediately evokes a sense of calm and open space. Tholen employs line and shadow to articulate a landscape where the horizon is low and the sky is expansive. The subtle variations in shading and the deliberate lack of sharp detail invite contemplation, allowing for an emotional reading of the scene. The structural use of line is particularly striking; it serves not just to define objects but to suggest texture and volume, thereby creating a sense of depth. This drawing speaks to the modern interest in capturing transient moments and subjective experiences. The absence of strong focal points mirrors a shift away from traditional, hierarchical compositions. Instead, the drawing invites the viewer to wander through the scene, engaging with the landscape on their own terms. It's in this interaction between line, form, and viewer that the artwork achieves its full potential.