Studies van een slapend kindje 1849 - 1917

Here we see Matthijs Maris’ "Studies van een slapend kindje," a drawing held at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes one immediately is the ethereal quality rendered through delicate lines. The composition seems to float on the page, a constellation of forms emerging and receding. The artist uses line to create a sense of volume. The drawing evokes a dreamlike state, but it’s more than just a representation of sleep. Maris engages with a structural investigation of form and space. We see an analysis of the figure from multiple perspectives simultaneously. This reflects the artist's interest in capturing not just the appearance but the very essence of his subject. Note how the lines build upon one another, creating a complex network that destabilizes any fixed viewpoint. This challenges our perception, suggesting that reality is multifaceted. The drawing invites us to see beyond surface appearances and consider the deeper, more elusive aspects of existence. It's a visual metaphor for the fluidity of thought and the transient nature of experience.