Stilleven met kruik en ui 1900 - 1903

This is Julie de Graag's 'Still Life with Jug and Onion', an etching of modest scale, but full of delicate character. I love the economy of line she uses, each stroke so considered, describing form and shadow with a kind of quiet confidence. I can imagine De Graag in her studio, meticulously crafting each line, building up the image with patience and precision. What was she thinking as she decided on each tiny mark? You can feel her presence in the subtle variations of the lines, the way they curve and swell to capture the soft roundness of the jug and the humble onion. The way the lines mimic the roundness of the jug, it reminds me of Morandi's quiet, contemplative still lifes, where everyday objects become vehicles for exploring form, light, and space. It is a beautiful example of how simplicity can be so profound and how artists are always echoing and reimagining each other's visions across time.