Bosgezicht 1909

Johan Antonie de Jonge made this drawing called “Bosgezicht”, which translates as “Forest View”, with charcoal, and you can feel the scratching and smudging of the medium across the paper. The artist is lost in a world of branches, and I wonder how he felt making it. The charcoal markings are quite intense and close together, it must have been a very physical act, dragging the charcoal back and forth, building up layers of texture to evoke the density of the forest. Look at the variety of lines and how they cross over and intersect, creating depth and movement. I’m reminded of other artists who explore the hidden energies of nature, like Van Gogh’s drawings of trees. All of these artists are in conversation with each other across time, inspiring each other to look deeper. Ultimately, this drawing embraces uncertainty, allowing for multiple readings and interpretations.