Abklatsch van een pentekening c. 1885 - 1911

This is a transfer drawing by Jozef Israëls, held at the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, the sketch may appear as mere abstracted forms. However, through the ages, the motif of fleeting, transient marks has carried profound significance. Consider Leonardo da Vinci's ink blots, or Alexander Cozens’ method of ‘blot drawing’. These artists sought inspiration by discerning figures within these seemingly arbitrary shapes. Such practices echo ancient methods of divination, where meaning is extracted from chaos. Look at the spidery lines, reminiscent of branches against a stormy sky. Perhaps they evoke the subconscious, a realm where memories and primal fears intertwine. This technique taps into our innate capacity to find order in chaos, engaging us on a profound, psychological level. The cycle continues. What was once a method to stimulate creativity evolves into art itself. Like a serpent biting its own tail, artistic innovation constantly loops back, reimagining and reinterpreting the past.