Zebra c. 1904 - 1906

This tiny drawing of a zebra was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof. You know, when I look at this piece, I'm immediately struck by the way the artist captured the essence of this animal, and I wonder what he was thinking as he made this drawing? I’m really drawn to the simple, delicate lines that define the zebra's form. Each stroke feels so intentional, mapping out the contours of the animal's body with an economy of means. I can almost see him moving his charcoal across the page, carefully placing each stripe to convey both movement and stillness. He must have paused, considered, and then confidently committed each line to paper, echoing the way zebras pause and move in the wild. I am reminded of cave paintings, or folk art. It really speaks to the idea of finding profound expression in simplicity. It makes you consider the conversation between artists across time, each building upon the other's vision. It’s a reminder that in art, and in life, there's always more than meets the eye.