Plattegrond of model 1906 - 1945

This is Reijer Stolk’s, "Plattegrond of Model," a pencil drawing held at the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents two diagrams, each featuring a cross-like structure composed of rectangles, accompanied by numeric annotations. The composition's stark simplicity invites us to consider its underlying structure. Stolk uses basic geometric forms to investigate spatial relationships. The repetition of the cross motif suggests a focus on symmetry and balance. The numeric annotations introduce a layer of coded meaning, hinting at measurements and proportions critical to the diagram's function. In structuralist terms, we can read the drawing as a system of signs. The lines, shapes, and numbers each act as signifiers, pointing to a signified concept, perhaps a building plan or a mechanical design. Stolk’s sketch, therefore, is not just a representation but a conceptual framework, a visual language that seeks to clarify and define. This piece operates within a broader discourse of representation, where the act of sketching becomes an act of inquiry.