Gezicht op Orsoy, 1672 1900 - 1903

The frères Moreau made this drawing called Gezicht op Orsoy in 1672. Imagine the brothers, side by side, perhaps, with a shared sheet of paper between them. They must have been constantly negotiating, figuring out their marks in subtle tones of grey wash. These sweeping lines of diluted ink suggest a landscape as it recedes into the distance. The paint is thinly applied in horizontal bands creating a hazy effect. There’s something very calm and serene about the scene. The repetitive gestures that are like breathing, or the ebb and flow of water, are quite mesmerizing, and there's a real sense of peace here. I'm reminded of the landscapes of Hercules Segers, who was an etcher as well as a painter, and who also conjured entire worlds with just a few simple marks. It's exciting to see how artists across time have drawn from one another’s work, inspiring each other’s creativity. It makes me think that painting is a conversation.