Bloemenranken 1868 - 1938

Edgard Farasyn made this charming etching, "Bloemenranken," sometime between 1870 and 1938. It's all about the delicate touch, isn't it? The wispy lines dance across the page, creating a world that's both there and not there. Look closely – you can almost feel the bloom of the flowers. There’s a real push-pull between the image and ground. It's like a whisper, hinting at something more. I love the way Farasyn uses the texture of the paper to his advantage. It feels very organic, almost as if it had grown from the surface itself. What does this remind me of? I think of Whistler, who was also interested in the way that etching could create delicate atmospheric effects. Ultimately, it’s a dance between control and letting go, and embracing the happy accidents along the way.