Rokende sigaar 1884 - 1952

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made this drawing, *Rokende Sigaar,* with pen and ink, sometime around the turn of the 20th century; it's a dance of swirling lines and contrasting tones. The overall effect is pretty mesmerizing, like watching smoke unfurl. Look at how the artist used the pen to create a kind of textural variety. The ink isn't just laid down flat; instead, you see these delicate layers and varied pressure, it's almost like the paper is breathing. The black cigar shape at the center anchors the composition. It's weighty, solid, a real contrast to the lightness of the smoke around it. The smoke itself is rendered with a playful touch. It's looping and curving, a real sense of movement. It reminds me a little of the Art Nouveau work of someone like Aubrey Beardsley. Both artists were masters of the line. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation.