Pierrot en Christus 1922

Lodewijk Schelfhout made this print, Pierrot en Christus, with etching. It’s like Schelfhout is feeling around in the dark, trying to find the form. Can you see how the lines are built up to create an image, a sensitive Pierrot comforted by Christ? I love the way the cross-hatching creates a feeling of intimacy and introspection. I wonder what Schelfhout was thinking, layering these figures together. Pierrot, the sad clown, and Christ, the ultimate figure of suffering and redemption. It's an unusual pairing. The etching process itself, with its scratching and biting into the metal plate, mirrors this search for clarity and meaning. It's a lot like painting – you’re building up layers, making decisions, and each mark contributes to the whole. It reminds me of the Symbolists, but with a touch of something rawer, more personal. Ultimately, it's this vulnerability that really stays with you. It invites you to reflect on the relationship between suffering, compassion, and art.