Vrouw met een mand vol kersen 1883

Adolphe François Pannemaker created this piece, "Woman with a Basket of Cherries," using wood engraving. The engraving presents us with a woman, elegantly adorned, holding a basket brimming with cherries. The immediate visual experience is one of textural contrast: the softness of her features against the intricate details of her dress and hat. Pannemaker masterfully employs the wood engraving technique to create a rich interplay between light and shadow, emphasizing the contours of her face and the voluminous folds of her attire. Looking closely, one notes how the semiotic system of signs—the cherries, her dress, the forest—function within the cultural codes of the time, potentially reflecting themes of abundance, beauty, and nature. The background, a dense forest, could be interpreted as a challenge to fixed meanings, inviting viewers to engage with new ways of thinking about space and representation. Ultimately, the function of the engraving lies not just aesthetically, but also as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse, acknowledging that art remains a site of ongoing interpretation.