Man met hoed en wandelstaf die een café binnentreedt 1869 - 1936

This small drawing, made by Theodorus Henricus Kerstel, welcomes us into a humble Dutch cafe. The artist's hand seems to dance lightly across the page, using simple lines to build the scene. It is an image made up of suggestive marks, like shorthand for an environment. Look at the bold hatching of the man’s coat as he enters the cafe. Kerstel's been really playful with the linear quality of the drawing – it’s neither fussy nor tight. The quick marks and sketchy quality give it an immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment. He’s really economical with his language; he doesn't fuss with lots of details, yet it's enough to evoke the whole scene. Kerstel’s work reminds me of Honoré Daumier, in that he embraces the everyday. But while Daumier often used satire to comment on social issues, Kerstel seems more interested in simply observing and recording the world around him. It is like he is showing us that art doesn’t always need to be grand and imposing. Sometimes, the most beautiful things can be found in the simplest of moments.