Young Man Playing the Hurdy-Gurdy 

Jan Stolker created this print, "Young Man Playing the Hurdy-Gurdy", using etching techniques. The print is dominated by a somber mood created through its monochromatic palette and the way light and shadow define the figure. Notice how the stark contrast emphasizes the young man's downcast gaze, drawing us into his introspective world. Stolker masterfully uses chiaroscuro, a technique playing with light and dark, not just to depict form but to evoke emotional depth. The dark areas envelop much of the composition, leaving the illuminated face and hands as focal points that invite contemplation. The figure's hat and cape, rendered in deep blacks and grays, contribute to a semiotic reading of the work: they seem to reference archetypes of the wandering musician, a figure often associated with transience and melancholy. This print prompts us to consider how visual form can structure emotional content.