Muis 1916

Jan Mankes made this teeny etching of a mouse—appropriately titled "Muis"—on laid paper. Oh, to be Mankes, peering with such care and tenderness at this tiny creature! I can imagine him capturing its essence with his needle, line by careful line. The mouse sits plump and furry against a stark, minimal background. There is a lot of empty space here, but it doesn't feel empty. There is a hum that I feel between the animal’s soft body and the dry paper. It's like a little stage, a quiet drama unfolding. I am reminded of Morandi's still lifes, which contain a similar sense of intimate observation and quiet contemplation, transforming ordinary objects into subjects of profound beauty. Both artists invite us to slow down, to really see the world around us, finding poetry in the simplest of forms. In a way, all artists are in conversation with each other.