Heide bij Laren 1916

This is Heide bij Laren, a print by Jan Fekkes, made sometime around the early 20th century. The whole thing is rendered with a kind of obsessive mark making, using lots of small, hatched strokes. The result is a textured, almost dreamlike image. Looking closely, the surface has a velvety quality. The tones shift and blend, giving the impression of a world in constant flux. The clouds churn, the trees seem to bristle with energy. I love the way he suggests light by simply leaving areas blank. It’s not just about what’s there, but what’s not. Take a look at that tiny tree in the foreground; it’s just a few strokes, but it speaks volumes. The work reminds me of Ensor, who had the same ability to animate an image, and who used a similar palette of subdued tones. But ultimately, Fekkes has his own distinctive voice. It’s a quiet one, maybe, but it has something unique to say about the landscape.