Man naast paard-en-wagen op boerenerf 1891 - 1937

Chris Snijders made this small etching, "Man naast paard-en-wagen op boerenerf" - or "Man next to horse and cart on a farmyard" - with ink and paper. Snijders has built up the image with a mass of short, wiry lines. There’s a real sense of the artist working at this, building up the image bit by bit. Notice the lines that describe the thatched roof, they seem to follow the form of the thatch, almost like the artist is feeling his way across the surface. These lines vary in weight and direction, creating a lively and textured surface. The overall tonal range is narrow, mostly dark shades, which adds to the intimate and moody atmosphere. The whole image has this strange energy, it’s loose, gestural, and full of movement. It reminds me a little of some of the German Expressionist printmakers like Kirchner, who were also interested in capturing raw emotion through simplified forms. Although Snijders is working in a more traditional, realist style than Kirchner, it’s like he is hinting at an inner world of feeling and experience. For me, this piece isn't just a picture of a farmyard, but a window into a state of mind.