Figuur op een holle weg 1869 - 1937

This etching was made by Anton L. Koster sometime between 1870 and 1937. I love how the surface is built from so many tiny marks, it looks like the artist has dug into the plate to bring it to life. What could Koster have been thinking as he made it? He must have been carefully observing all the details of the natural world. I imagine him walking along that path, a solitary figure amidst the trees and foliage. You can feel the earthiness of the road and the texture of the leaves, branches, and grass. There's a beautiful contrast between the smooth, open sky and the darkness of the trees. The trees create a kind of screen that both obscures and reveals the light behind. Artists throughout history have explored nature. Koster is part of this conversation. His careful observation invites us to slow down and appreciate the world around us.