Molen in een landschap c. 1909s

Alexander Shilling made this pencil sketch, “Molen in een landschap,” probably in a notebook, at some point in his life, we don't know exactly when. It's all about the energy of the line, isn't it? Quick, scratchy, with lots of back-and-forth. The building on the right practically vibrates. See how the shading isn't about filling in but building up? It’s like he’s feeling for the shapes, not just copying them. And the softness of the cloud-like form on the left page, next to the sharp, hard lines on the right page, is so appealing. Looking at this, I think of Marsden Hartley's drawings, especially the landscapes. They both have this searching quality, like they're trying to capture a feeling more than a scene. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfect representation, it’s about the ongoing conversation between the artist, the world, and the materials they use.