Man te paard in een landschap 1920

This print, *Man on Horseback in a Landscape*, was made by Hans Thoma at some point - the exact date is unknown. Looking at it, the first thing that strikes me is the delicate, almost tentative line work. It's as if Thoma is feeling his way through the image, letting the process guide him. The surface has a subtle texture, a kind of gentle hum created by the density of the etched lines. See the horse's neck, how the lines are so close together they almost melt into a soft, grey tone? Then notice how they break apart again, describing the contours of the body. There's a real sensitivity to the physicality of the medium, and the way it can evoke light and shadow. It puts me in mind of Samuel Palmer, his visionary landscapes, or even some of the Pre-Raphaelites. Art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas across time. It's about embracing ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations, and trusting the process.