Bomen bij een poel 1817 - 1884

Jean Alexis Achard created this print, "Bomen bij een poel" or "Trees by a Pool," using etching techniques. The overall composition, rendered in monochromatic tones, evokes a serene, almost melancholic mood. Note how Achard uses intricate lines to define the clustered trees, contrasting their organic shapes with the horizontal stretch of the pool below. The sky is barely visible, compressed above the landscape. These directional lines—horizontal in the water's reflection and vertical in the upward reach of the trees—create a visual structure that stabilizes the composition. The density of the etching lines varies, creating areas of darker and lighter values. This play with tonal contrast serves not only to depict form but also to express a certain stillness. The materiality of the print, with its delicate lines and textured surfaces, invites us to consider the balance between representation and abstraction. It captures a fleeting moment while also asserting the enduring presence of the natural world.