Broeksloot bij Voorburg 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this small drawing of the Broeksloot canal with pencil on paper. The marks are tight and controlled with an area of concentrated hatching in the center that gives way to lighter tones on the edges of the paper. It's all about feeling the scene through the tip of that pencil. Look at the reflections in the water, how they're not quite symmetrical but give a sense of depth. The way the artist used varied pressure and density to create a sense of light and atmosphere is really something. The surface of the paper isn't obscured, you can see the tooth of it under all those marks. The little signature at the bottom right feels kind of coy, almost hidden in the shadows. This piece reminds me of some drawings by Klimt, where he's just letting his hand wander and explore the world around him, not trying to capture it exactly, but just feel it out. Art's a conversation, right?