Slootje c. 1944 - 1990

Kees Stoop made this small etching of a ditch, or a "slootje," using black ink to carve out a quiet scene. Look at how the lines create a sense of depth, pulling you into the woods. See how the texture of the trees is different from the water, achieved through varying the density and direction of the marks? It's almost like he’s sketching with light and shadow, finding form through process. I love the way the etching captures a certain mood, that stillness you feel when you’re alone in nature. I'm reminded of other artists who explored landscape through printmaking, like Whistler, who sought to capture the essence of a place through careful observation and mark-making. It's all about capturing a feeling, an atmosphere. And in this, Stoop succeeds. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfect representation, but about feeling and seeing.