Hoofd van Saturnus 1900 - 1903

Antoon Derkinderen made this pencil sketch, “Hoofd van Saturnus” on paper, at some point we don’t know exactly when. What strikes me about Derkinderen's approach is how he combines sketching with handwriting. It’s like he's thinking on paper, using both image and text to explore his thoughts. The surface of the paper is filled with layers of meaning. The quick, almost scribbled lines of the Saturn sketch give it a sense of immediacy, as if we’re catching a glimpse of the artist’s fleeting idea. The surrounding text is like a stream of consciousness, adding layers of association and context to the image. It’s not just a drawing, it’s a record of a mind at work. The way Derkinderen uses line reminds me of the drawings of Cy Twombly, where the act of writing and drawing become intertwined. Both artists invite us to see the process of art-making as a form of thinking and exploring, rather than just depicting.