Zeilboten op het water 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of sailboats on water with pen and ink sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. I love the immediacy of it, a sketch dashed off in the moment. You can feel the artist capturing the essence of the scene with just a few quick strokes. The drawing is all about line, the delicate network creating a sense of depth and movement. Look at the way Vreedenburgh uses the varying thickness and density of the lines to suggest form and light. See the mast reflected in the water, a shaky reflection, it’s so fragile, so fleeting, a beautiful, transient thing. This reminds me of the drawings of Cy Twombly, with their lyrical, almost scribbled quality, but with a Dutch sensibility all its own. It is a reminder that art doesn't always have to be grand or imposing; it can be quiet, intimate, and deeply personal.