Gardameer 1885 - 1931

Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit made this print, Gardameer, with etching. It’s the kind of piece that makes you appreciate the art of seeing. Look at how the image is built from a network of lines. See how the density varies across the sky, water, and distant town? These lines are not just descriptive; they're expressive, creating a texture that feels like weather itself. The way the lines are so immediate reminds me of Cy Twombly. It’s all about the hand's movement, the directness of the gesture. The surface here is crucial, the way the ink sits on the paper, almost shimmering with light. I find myself drawn to the upper part of the image where the sky is heavy with cloud, each mark is a response to the light. There’s an ongoing conversation between artists across time, and I see echoes here of Whistler's tonalism, but with a uniquely personal touch. Ultimately, this print invites us to embrace the beauty of ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations rather than fixed meanings.