Koepelkerk in een landschap 1910 - 1918

Alexander Shilling made this graphite sketch of a domed church in a landscape in an unknown year. Look closely, and you’ll see that it’s across the double pages of a sketchbook. I can imagine Shilling quickly capturing the scene, trying to find a balance between detail and the immediacy of the moment. You know, that feeling of, "I need to get this down before the light changes!" The landscape on the left is more fleeting and ethereal, while the church on the right has got darker, thicker lines, giving it a sense of weight and presence. The shading around the dome is lovely. It’s clear the artist had a great appreciation for the architecture and how it sits within the landscape. Making a sketch like this is about more than just representation; it’s a way of understanding and connecting with a place. Shilling is in conversation with artists, movements and places across time.