Vrouwen met bagage op hun hoofd c. 1932

Reijer Stolk made this print, titled "Vrouwen met bagage op hun hoofd", with etching. It's all about the line. Look how it confidently describes the figures, their postures, and the objects they carry. There's a directness here, a willingness to embrace simplicity. The metallic surface catches the light in different ways. It’s hard to say exactly when it was made but it has the feel of a memory, slightly faded and a bit dreamlike. Stolk’s lines are not precious; they wiggle and vary in thickness. They remind me of Matisse's drawings – playful, economical, and full of life. Take a look at the woman on the left with the patterned skirt. See how the lines suggest the folds and textures of the fabric with just a few strokes? It's this kind of efficiency that I admire. To me, this work speaks to a deep understanding of form and a willingness to let the medium speak for itself. This piece reminds me of Picasso, not in style, but in the attitude of constantly trying something new. Art is a conversation across time, an ongoing exploration, not a fixed idea.