Windmolen te Ravenstein 1866 - 1922

Willem Cornelis Rip made this sketch, Windmolen te Ravenstein, with graphite on paper. The material influence on this work is clear. Graphite, in its dry, almost dusty application, lends itself to capturing the scene's essence rather than a polished depiction. You see the qualities of line and shading through the graphite, capturing light and shadow. Consider that this is a quick study; a means of capturing the world, perhaps in preparation for a painting. It's a direct connection to the artist's hand, and the amount of time spent to create it. You can picture the artist outside, capturing what they see onto the page in front of them. Ultimately, the value of a work like this lies in its process and the way Rip has translated the built environment into a fleeting sketch. Through his hand, we see not just a landscape, but a record of an artist's creative work.