Kalkoen 1892 - 1940

Henri Verstijnen rendered this print, Kalkoen, or Turkey in Dutch, using subtle variations of brown ink to create an image that at first seems monochromatic, yet reveals itself to be tonally complex upon closer inspection. The composition is structured around the contrast between the dense, dark background and the radiant white plumage of the turkey. Verstijnen has employed the semiotic code of light and dark to draw attention to the animal, subtly framing the turkey against the natural setting of foliage and trees. The texture created through etching gives the feathers a palpable quality, while the precise linework captures the intricate details of the turkey's form. This print invites us to consider the ways in which Verstijnen manipulates our perception through contrasts in texture and tone, thus engaging with the semiotic interplay between figure and ground.