Abklatsch van een krijttekening 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth created this chalk drawing, an ‘Abklatsch’, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The subject matter is a veiled landscape, where trees and structures emerge faintly from the mist. These shadowy forms are imbued with symbolic weight, recalling the ‘memento mori’ tradition. This symbolism transcends the ages; think of the bleak, gnarled trees in medieval art, symbols of mortality. The soft focus suggests a dreamlike state, tapping into the subconscious. The way we perceive these forms is much like how we perceive and recall hazy memories, always slightly out of reach. This effect, created through the printmaking process, mirrors how symbols transform across time. Like the ‘Abklatsch’ itself—a transferred image—these symbols are not static but continuously evolve, reflecting our changing emotional and psychological landscapes.