Kapel in het bos 1831 - 1904

This image, *Kapel in het bos* (Chapel in the Forest), was created by Arnoud Schaepkens. It is an etching, a printmaking process that relies on the effect of acid on metal. The stark contrast of light and shadow, achieved through the precise control of etched lines, gives a heightened sense of depth and texture to the image. The etching process itself, with its reliance on craft skill and technical precision, has imbued the artwork with a palpable sense of history and tradition. Consider the artist's hand in manipulating the metal plate, carefully controlling the depth and density of the lines to create this image. The chapel is framed by the density of the trees, and almost disappears into them. The lone figure invites quiet contemplation, a retreat from the world, as they approach the building. This scene draws attention to the intricate labor involved in the etching process, challenging our conventional notions of fine art and craft.