Aanbidding van Christus 1931

Lodewijk Schelfhout made this etching of the adoration of Christ sometime between 1914. The monochrome palette throws into sharp relief the forms and lines that make up the image. Looking at this print, I'm drawn to the way Schelfhout uses these lines to create texture, especially in Joseph's cloak. The density and direction of the marks give the fabric weight and depth, almost like you could reach out and feel the folds. The mark-making feels urgent, capturing a fleeting moment. Note the star in the top centre of the image, formed by two small, intersecting lines. I'm reminded of Käthe Kollwitz, who also worked extensively with etching and printmaking. Both artists used line and tone to convey depth, emotion, and humanity. What’s exciting about art like this, is it presents us with the possibility of seeing the world around us in a new light.