Curatorial notes
Rik Wouters made this snowy village street scene with etching, a process of layering marks and tones, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere, like a quiet snowfall. I love the physicality of etching, the way the artist has to really work the plate to get those dark lines and subtle shades. You can almost feel the pressure of the tool as it digs into the metal. Look closely at the roofs of the houses; see how Wouters uses tiny, precise lines to create the texture of the snow? It's like he's building the image one mark at a time. Wouters seems to be in conversation with artists like James Ensor, who also played with light and shadow in his prints. But Wouters brings a certain warmth and intimacy to the scene. It's a reminder that art isn't just about what you see, but how you feel.