Boerderij 1915

Lodewijk Schelfhout made this print, called "Boerderij" or "Farm," sometime around 1915. It's all about the push and pull between light and shadow, isn't it? You can see how Schelfhout used these delicate lines to carve out shapes and describe light. The bare trees reach into the sky, their branches a jumble of marks. See how the textures create depth, so you can feel the rough bark, or the soft glow of the sky? Notice the road, winding into the distance. It’s a simple mark, but it gives the whole image a sense of space, like you could step right into it. It reminds me a little of Van Gogh's landscapes. Both artists, in their own way, capture the world with a very particular intensity. Art's not about nailing down one single meaning, but about embracing the possibilities, opening up new ways of seeing and feeling.