In this atmospheric charcoal drawing, Paris comes to life in black and white. The iconic Eiffel Tower rises among characteristic Parisian apartment buildings, where daylight reflects off the facades and paving stones. In the centre of the picture, an elegantly dressed figure crosses the zebra crossing - in motion, but fully absorbed in the moment.
"Rue de l'Instant" is an ode to everyday life in the city of light, where beauty lies in the everyday. The drawing captures a fleeting scene - a glance aside, a step forward - as if we are witnessing a cinematic fragment. The city provides the backdrop, but the figure brings the story.
The drawing is constructed with soft and precise charcoal lines. The buildings look almost like architectural engravings, while the figure, in contrast, is worked out more loosely and vividly. This tension between stillness and movement, between architecture and man, makes the image captivating and layered.
The open white sky above the Eiffel Tower gives breathing space to the work, letting the light literally and figuratively flow in. The lack of colour enhances the timeless nature of the scene, which could just as easily take place in the 1960s as today.
This work speaks to the traveller, the dreamer, the city walker. It evokes longing for getting lost in small streets, unexpected encounters and the feeling that every moment can be meaningful.
Denny Stoekenbroek (b. 1978) is a Dutch artist specialising in expressive charcoal drawings. His work is characterised by a cinematic atmosphere, strong light-dark contrasts and a deep focus on character and emotion. Denny is self-taught and draws inspiration from vintage photography, classic beauty and timeless portraits. His drawings.. Read more…