Tulpen in een kan 1872 - 1950

Barbara Elisabeth van Houten made this etching, Tulpen in een kan, without a date. It’s full of these little dots and dashes, almost like she’s sketching with light itself. I love how the surface isn't smooth, but textured, like a memory. Look at the tabletop; it's not just a flat plane but a field of tiny marks. The vase, sitting heavy with its bouquet, feels grounded, real. And the tulips! They’re not just pretty faces. Each petal has its own story, told in dark and light. It makes me think of Odilon Redon, another artist who knew how to make black and white sing. It’s like Van Houten is saying, "Here’s a moment, not perfect, but full of life." Art isn't just about showing, but about feeling, and this piece, for me, is full of feeling.