Bloemen 1914 - 1938

This delicate etching of a flower was created by Maria Hermana Johanna de Boer-Plantenga. It's all soft lines and smoky greys, making me think about the artist's hand moving, almost tentatively, across the plate. I can imagine her, head bent close, carefully laying down each line, building up the image bit by bit. The petals are so fragile, so full of light and air. It's like she's trying to capture a fleeting moment, the essence of the flower before it fades. I love how the leaves droop a little, giving the whole thing a sense of melancholy beauty. It reminds me that artists are always in conversation with each other. They are borrowing, stealing, and riffing off ideas across time. This etching invites you to consider that painting is a process, not a product, embracing ambiguity. It's about asking questions, not giving answers.