Gezicht op Adlerhorst 1922 - 1926

Reijer Stolk made this drawing of Gezicht op Adlerhorst with ink on paper. It’s all about the power of the line, isn’t it? This kind of drawing is all about process, the artist allows the composition to be directed by the hand. The density of the marks in the lower part of the image gives way to the open space at the top, a simple, but very effective way to construct depth in a limited palette. Look at the variety of marks used to delineate the rocks – the artist clearly had a deep understanding of their subject. The image has a dreamlike quality which is enhanced by the stream of text which seems to flow down the page, mirroring the composition of the landscape. The work reminds me of Paul Klee who, like Stolk, was interested in the relationship between text and image. Both artists embraced ambiguity and multiplicity, their art opens a space of imagination.