Bloem en blad c. 1916 - 1945

This drawing of a flower and leaf comes to us from the hand of Reijer Stolk. I can imagine Stolk with his sketchbook in hand, sitting outside, carefully observing the flower and leaf before him. You can see how he carefully renders the plant’s form, the main stem dividing in three, each topped with leafy fronds. Did he feel the pressure to accurately represent what he saw? How do you decide where to draw the line between observation and expression? The single leaf in the foreground is so simple but perfectly shaped. It’s a dance between what is there and what is felt. I think about all the other artists who have been inspired by nature, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Georgia O’Keefe – Stolk is in good company! They all see the world with different eyes and help us see it anew, too.