Vrouw bij een strijkplank 1892 - 1916

Rik Wouters made this drawing, Vrouw bij een strijkplank, we don't know exactly when, with ink on paper. The ink work is so immediate, like he's sketching the essence of movement, not just the pose of a woman ironing. The paper peeks through the sparse lines, giving the piece an airy feel. Look at the different weights of the lines – some are thin and tentative, others bold and decisive. It's like he's thinking out loud, showing us his process. The ink pools in certain areas, creating dark accents that ground the composition. Notice how he uses these thicker marks to define the weight of the ironing board and the rhythm of the woman’s activity. Wouters' contemporary was Henri Matisse, and you can sense a similar spirit of experimentation and joy in both their works. It's like they're having a visual conversation about the possibilities of line and form, each pushing the boundaries in their own way. Art is such a fun game.