Verzamelaar van prenten 1888 - 1945

Charles Bourgeat made this monochromatic print, Verzamelaar van prenten, in the early 20th century using etching. The tone is set by the marks, each one like a tiny scratch, somehow capturing a whole world. Look at the way Bourgeat has rendered the collector, his form is bent over the prints, you can almost feel the weight of his gaze. The etched lines create a sense of texture, particularly in the wall lined with prints, it feels almost tactile. Notice too how he has captured the light in the room. Now, see the shadows pooling at the collector's feet? It almost feels like the light is emanating from the prints themselves, illuminating the collector in a kind of halo. Bourgeat reminds me a little of Whistler, both artists using tone to evoke a mood. Ultimately art is about conversation, and this piece speaks volumes about the joy of looking.