Beek in een met bomen begroeid dal 1869 - 1937

Anton L. Koster made this print, "Beek in een met bomen begroeid dal," with etching. Look at the mark-making, it’s all about the cross hatching, building up the image with little tiny lines that create tone and depth. It's a real testament to the power of process. You know, when I look at this piece, I’m drawn to the way the texture almost vibrates. It's amazing how he uses the ink to create this sense of depth. And those trees! They're so gestural, almost like he's channeling the energy of the forest itself. Notice the way the light flickers across the water, how it almost seems to dance. It’s created with simple horizontal strokes, that give you such a sense of calm. It reminds me a little of some of the early landscape etchings of someone like Whistler, but with its own distinctive voice. It’s a great example of how artists can take a traditional medium and make it their own.