Haard met spiegel before 1904

This fireplace with a mirror, or “Haard met spiegel,” was created by an anonymous artist. It's a rendering of a fireplace, probably done as a commercial piece. I am curious about what the artist might have been thinking while working on it. Did they enjoy the act of representation and the challenge of capturing the textures of wood and metal with precision? Or were they perhaps dreaming of a more expressive style? The lines and forms in this work seem to be so regular and clean, a complete contrast to the fluid and intuitive gestures I explore in my paintings. I can see the appeal of restraint and control but I am all about embracing ambiguity and messiness! Still, there's a certain charm in the precise execution, a dedication to craft that I deeply respect. Ultimately, it is a reminder that every artist is part of an ongoing conversation, influencing and inspiring each other across time.