Distelstudie c. 1875 - 1940

Octavia Cornelia Suzanna Hofstede de Groot made this lovely drawing, Distelstudie, which translates to "thistle study," with graphite on paper. The composition is a single plant set against the white of the page. Looking at it, I can't help but imagine Hofstede de Groot bending down, really taking her time to observe the textures and patterns of this thistle. There’s a tenderness in the way she renders each leaf and flower. It feels like she's not just documenting, but truly connecting with the plant. The fineness of the graphite lends itself so well to the intricacy of the thistle’s form. The delicate lines capture not just what the eye sees, but also the almost prickly sensation you might feel if you touched it. It makes you wonder about her focus, what she was thinking as she worked. She's in conversation with other artists, and with nature, and that conversation has continued across time to include you and me.