De Notenkraker, 6 juli 1907 / Achter de coulissen Possibly 1907

This is Albert Hahn’s “Behind the Scenes,” made for the cover of “De Notenkraker” in 1907, and it's a masterclass in how simple lines can pack a serious punch. The whole thing is rendered in this tight, controlled hatching, but look closer, and you’ll notice how Hahn varies the pressure to build depth and volume. See how the texture almost vibrates, giving the image this nervous energy? It’s not just about the subject matter; it's about the process itself, the artist wrestling with his materials to get his point across. I'm drawn to the older man's hand as he gestures at the boy. The hand is oversized, almost grotesque, but rendered with such precision that it becomes a focal point, a symbol of power and authority. It reminds me a little bit of some of those Honoré Daumier lithographs; that ability to capture the essence of a character with just a few strokes. There's something timeless about that. It speaks to the power of art as a conversation, an ongoing dialogue across time.