Studie c. 1916

This is a sketch by Reijer Stolk, and while undated, it was likely made during his lifetime, up to 1945. Rendered on paper with graphite, the apparent immediacy of the drawing belies its true purpose. The loose layout and handwritten notes give the sense that Stolk was carefully considering his subject, likely some kind of machine. The materiality of the paper itself – a relatively cheap, mass-produced product – emphasizes its status as a transient surface for working out ideas. Graphite, easily erased and reworked, mirrors this sense of experimentation. Consider the amount of intellectual labor involved in the design process. Stolk wasn’t just making something; he was thinking through the logic of its construction, the interplay of forms, and the relationship between different components. This drawing is a testament to the value of careful consideration and skilled hand work, often overlooked in our fast-paced, mass-produced world. It reminds us that even the most utilitarian objects are born from acts of imagination and material engagement.