Staand wit paard 1860

Jacobus Cornelis Gaal created this etching of a standing white horse. Notice how the horse is centrally positioned, its heavy form dominating the frame. The texture, achieved through dense, cross-hatched lines, gives a tactile quality to the animal’s coat, contrasting with the smoother sky. This interplay of textures creates a visual tension that invites closer inspection. The etcher’s marks, visible as a network of lines, reveal the process of creation, reminding us of the artist's hand in shaping the image. Gaal plays with scale, dwarfing the distant buildings and trees, which creates a sense of the horse’s imposing presence, as the stark contrast between the detailed foreground and the sparse background emphasizes depth and space. The linear quality of the etching, combined with the stark contrast, results in a powerful image that reflects on the relationship between form, process, and representation.