Schets van visjes in een aquarium 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this drawing of fish in an aquarium with graphite on paper. The immediate impression is of a sketch, quickly capturing the movement of the fish and the reflective quality of water. But there's more to it than just a fleeting observation. Graphite, in its powdery form, allows for a broad range of tonal values, from the faintest whisper of a line to deep, velvety blacks. This allows Dijsselhof to play with light and shadow, evoking the underwater environment. The artist applies hatching and smudging to create texture and volume with the barest of means. The choice of material and technique also speaks to a certain intimacy and directness; the artist’s hand is evident in every mark, making the act of drawing a performance recorded on the page. There’s a beauty in this simplicity, reminding us that even the most commonplace materials can be transformed into something captivating through skill and vision.