Bosrand 1867 - 1935

Maurits van der Valk made this etching, titled 'Bosrand', using line to suggest tone, as if the image was slowly coaxed into being through touch. You can see how the process unfolds. I'm drawn to the way the network of lines create a dense and varied surface, especially on the trunks of the trees. The texture feels so alive and tactile, like I could reach out and feel the rough bark. See how the light catches the trunks? The artist is using line to create a contrast between light and shadow, volume and space. I love how this approach allows for a real ambiguity and play. There's a quietness to this image. The trees, rendered so meticulously, evoke a sense of stillness and contemplation. I wonder if maybe, in turn, this piece relates to the work of Agnes Martin, who also used a delicate touch to evoke a sense of calm and quietude. Art's just an ongoing conversation, right?