Schellemolen aan de Damse Vaart 1923

Editor: This is "Schellemolen aan de Damse Vaart," a drawing by Alexander Shilling from 1923, done with pencil, likely in a sketchbook. It's such a quick sketch, almost like a fleeting thought. I am really drawn to this piece as the scenery gives a very traditional impression of countryside windmills. What strikes you most when you look at this sketch? Curator: Oh, I'm tickled by the looseness, aren't you? It’s the artistic equivalent of a casual stroll, not burdened by perfection. Notice how Shilling captures the essence of the scene, the windmill's strong presence, with minimal fuss. Do you get the feeling this might have been part of his travel routine, like jotting down souvenirs for the soul? I feel there's an authenticity here, an unsullied observation of a typical Dutch scene. Editor: Definitely! The raw simplicity really gives that feeling. Do you think there's something the sketch captures better than say a highly finished landscape? Curator: Yes! There is an energy to sketches that paintings often miss, a snapshot of inspiration that's untainted by hours of deliberation. Like capturing lightning in a bottle, right? It offers an immediacy; the hand, the eye, and the heart are all in unison. It has charm! It's honest! And this is where you find Shilling's vision in its most raw and truthful form. Editor: It’s great to hear you talk about seeing that immediacy of a raw artistic moment. I will keep that in mind as I study art! Thanks so much. Curator: My pleasure, let the spark of the unfinished ignite your own artistic adventures.