Kalenderblad herfst 1942 1941

J. Roozendaal made 'Kalenderblad herfst 1942', sometime in 1942. It’s an all-over pattern of delicate marks in muted reds, greys and browns. You can imagine the artist’s hand, patiently applying each small stroke, building up the image dot by dot, line by line. I feel for Roozendaal making this. Perhaps the repetitive nature of the process was a kind of meditation or maybe a way to mark the passing of time, like the falling leaves in autumn. The density of the marks creates a visual texture that's almost tactile; you want to run your fingers over the surface. It reminds me of Seurat’s pointillism but with a more melancholic palette. The overall effect is one of quiet intensity, drawing you into its intricate web of marks. Painters, we’re always riffing off each other, borrowing ideas and techniques across time. Each brushstroke is a conversation with the past, a gesture towards the future. There is no such thing as originality! It’s all beautifully mixed up.