Naaktmodel (zes keer) c. 1965 - 1980

Aat Verhoog made this etching titled "Naaktmodel (zes keer)" or "Nude Model (six times)" and well, that’s exactly what you get. These six studies of the nude figure, rendered in drypoint, show Verhoog's real investment in mark-making. There is a real sense of an artist working through something. Look at the top left, there is a seated figure, but the more you move to the right, you see the image deconstructed more and more into abstract lines. Notice how the lines are built up to create areas of shadow, giving a sense of three-dimensionality despite the monochrome palette. The varying densities of the etched lines create a range of tones, from the lightest grays to deep blacks. These nudes remind me of Picasso, who was always trying to push the boundaries of representation, exploring the human form from multiple angles and perspectives simultaneously. It’s all about how we see and interpret the world around us.