Kunstenaar zit op grote hoogte een stadsgezicht te tekenen 1914

Jules de Bruycker made this print, which translates to "Artist sitting at great height drawing a cityscape," with etching. Considered one of the most important Belgian printmakers of the early 20th century, de Bruycker brings us into his world through his work. He was deeply affected by his experiences during World War I, and his etchings often explored themes of social critique, urban life, and human suffering. In this print, de Bruycker places himself high above the city, a perspective that could be read as an attempt to gain a broader view of the social landscape, but it also shows the artist isolating himself from the population below. By making the artist the subject of the image, he seems to be commenting on the role of the artist in society. To better understand de Bruycker’s work, look for more of his prints in museum collections and delve into studies of Belgian art during the early 20th century. It offers a revealing window into the artist’s social and institutional context.