Man met pijp before 1815

Hermanus van Brussel created this small etching called 'Man met pijp'. The subject emerges from a densely etched background, predominantly through variations in line and tone rather than stark contrasts. Note how the artist uses cross-hatching to build up areas of shadow, giving the figure a sense of volume. Light seems to catch the man’s turban and face, drawing our attention to his contemplative expression. The structural arrangement directs our gaze from the dense, darker areas towards the lighter, more detailed features of the face and hands. The use of etching allows for a remarkable level of detail in such a small format. The composition, while simple, invites a deeper look into the play of light and shadow, and the balance between texture and form. The image exists not just as a representation but also as a study in contrasts, a formal exercise where the artist explores the very nature of representation and the interplay of form and perception.