Appelbloesem 1922

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster made this print of apple blossom in black ink, and you can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the paper. Imagine him in front of the tree, making quick decisions about which marks and forms to keep. The blossoms are evoked with loose, gestural strokes, while the branches are thicker and more defined. You can see the influence of Japanese woodblock prints in the stark contrast between the black ink and the off-white paper. It’s such a simple palette but it works. I wonder what it was like for Ten Klooster to capture such fragile and fleeting beauty with such confidence and boldness. As painters, we're all in conversation with each other, responding to what's come before, borrowing ideas, and pushing things forward. And I can feel how this print can echo the work of other artists working with similar themes and techniques. It’s all part of the process!