Bos 1887 - 1952

Chris van der Windt made this etching, called ‘Bos,’ or ‘Woods’ in Dutch, with such a deft hand, like drawing with light. Look at the way the dark, dense marks are built up. It’s all about process, isn’t it? About layering and building, like a painter might do with washes of color. The texture is so rich, it's like you can feel the rough bark of the trees, the damp earth underfoot. The use of light is so well managed. See how the dark foreground gives way to a soft, hazy light filtering through the trees in the distance? It reminds me a little of some of the Barbizon school painters, like Corot, who were also interested in capturing the fleeting effects of light in the forest. But van der Windt brings his own unique sensibility to it. Ultimately, it’s a piece that invites you to get lost in its depths, to wander and wonder, and maybe even find a bit of yourself along the way.