Kruidenierswagen op een straat c. 1900 - 1940

C. Goes made this drawing of a grocer's wagon on a street with ink on paper. It looks like a simple drawing, but it's got a lot going on. The artist has made the most of simple marks and the black and white palette to create depth. If you look at the buildings, they're built up with a series of straight lines and rectangular forms. These are repeated in the street, which is represented by a set of parallel lines. They create a great feeling of perspective - a trick of the eye to give a sense of space. The marks are confident, and bold, yet there is a slight shakiness to some of the lines. This gives a charm to the piece, and reminds us of the artist's hand, the human element of the work. The whole scene is viewed from a slightly low angle, as if seen from the perspective of a child. I'm reminded of Saul Steinberg and his linear inventions. A simple, charming street scene.