Petunia's in twee vazen 1872 - 1950

Barbara Elisabeth van Houten made this print of petunias in twee vases using etching. It’s all about the line here; the image is constructed from a swarm of tiny marks. There's something immediate about this work. You can sense Van Houten responding to the scene in front of her, making decisions about light and shadow as she goes, without fussing over details. Look at the petals on the flowers, see how some are just roughed in with a few quick strokes? It's like she’s inviting us to complete the picture in our minds. For me, this piece evokes a sense of intimacy. It reminds me of some of Paula Modersohn-Becker’s more expressive drawings, where you can see the artist working through an idea. It is a reminder that art is a process of discovery, not just a product. It’s the conversation that counts.