Plattelandswoning met een schuin dak c. 1876 - 1879

Anton Mauve rendered this drawing, "Plattelandswoning met een schuin dak," at an unknown date using black chalk. At first glance, the drawing evokes a somber mood, dominated by a palette of blacks and grays. Mauve's use of hatching is the key to understanding the relationship between form and space here. See how the density of lines and the depth of color create a sense of three-dimensionality, particularly on the roof? This technique models the form and also expresses a certain understanding of light and shadow. The very density of marks and strokes could be considered as a signifier in itself, conveying not only visual information but also the artist's labor, their physical and emotional engagement with the scene. The loose, almost gestural strokes suggest a kind of visual shorthand, hinting at a scene rather than depicting it in precise detail. This element invites us to consider what is not shown as much as what is. It encourages us to look for a deeper meaning beyond the simple representation of a rural dwelling.