Werkplaats van een koffiebrander 1875 - 1913

Charles Mertens created this piece, 'Werkplaats van een koffiebrander', as an etching. The composition is dominated by strong diagonal lines of the rafters, dividing the space and drawing the eye to the interior. The textural contrast created by the dark strokes against the lighter areas gives the scene depth and a somewhat somber atmosphere. Mertens masterfully employs line and shadow to create a complex interplay of light and dark. The use of hatching and cross-hatching adds to the tactile quality of the image. The spatial dynamics are particularly intriguing. It is not just a representation of a physical space, but an exploration of depth and perspective, reminiscent of the formal experiments of early modernism. The formal elements of the work draw attention to the conditions of labor and the spatial arrangements that define it. This etching invites us to contemplate the intersections of form, function, and social representation within a seemingly simple workshop scene.