Boom in stolp c. 1944 - 1990

This small etching, "Boom in stolp," was made by Kees Stoop at an unknown date. I'm immediately drawn to the density of line, the way it builds up and almost vibrates on the page, like a hazy memory. You can almost feel Stoop coaxing the image out of the metal plate, a testament to his patience and skill. The fine lines that define the trees and foliage show the artist’s steady hand and intimate engagement with the natural world. I imagine Stoop hunched over the plate, carefully layering line upon line, building up the image through touch. It’s like he's whispering secrets onto the surface, inviting us to lean in and listen. The composition seems almost like a diptych, or facing pages. The artist seems to be inviting the viewer to contemplate the cyclical nature of life, growth, and decay. It reminds me of other printmakers like Whistler, who similarly found beauty in the everyday. It’s all about feeling, right?