Mimi 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made "Mimi" as an etching, those tiny incised lines building tone and texture. I love how the tonal range goes from light to dark, creating soft shadows that give the cat depth and volume. I wonder what Grondhout was thinking as he worked on this plate. Did he feel a sense of calm, observing the stillness of the sleeping cat? I can imagine him carefully etching each line, trying to capture the softness of the fur and the peacefulness of the moment. See the way he uses denser marks to create darker areas, like in the background and along the cat's back, and how he uses lighter, more delicate lines for the face and paws. The overall effect is intimate and tender. Etching, like painting, is all about touch, pressure, and intuition. Artists like Grondhout continue to inspire me to think about mark-making as a way of connecting with the world around me.