Koorddanseres, trapezeartiest en pierrot 1934

Lodewijk Schelfhout created this drypoint titled 'Koorddanseres, trapezeartiest en pierrot' at some point in his career. Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the artist uses a sharp needle to scratch directly into a metal plate. The depth and character of these lines are crucial, as they hold the ink that transfers to paper, creating the image. The drypoint method, with its direct and spontaneous mark-making, gives the print a velvety, textural quality that is difficult to achieve with other printmaking methods. The process demands both physical skill and an intimate understanding of materials. This print encapsulates the skill and labor that goes into its production. The contrast between the dark, etched lines and the stark white paper not only defines the figures and forms within the composition, but also highlights the contrast between the performance of the circus and the performance of the artist. By attending to the materials, the making, and the context, we can understand the work beyond traditional boundaries of fine art.