Gezicht op Arnhem aan de Rijn 1919 - 1921

Willem Cornelis Rip made this landscape drawing of Arnhem on the Rhine using pencil. It’s a quick study, where Rip seems less concerned with capturing a precise likeness than with exploring the effects of light and atmosphere. The marks are sparse, almost tentative, yet they manage to convey a sense of depth and space. Look at the way he uses short, broken lines to suggest the shimmering surface of the water. There’s a real sense of immediacy here, as if Rip were trying to capture a fleeting moment in time. It's reminiscent of some of Boudin's seascapes. Both artists share a similar interest in capturing the subtle nuances of light and atmosphere, and a willingness to embrace ambiguity over perfect representation. It reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but how we see it.