Besneeuwde tuin te Bosvoorde 1892 - 1916

Rik Wouters made this print, 'Besneeuwde tuin te Bosvoorde', which translates to 'Snowy Garden at Bosvoorde' with etching. What I love about printmaking is the labor involved in creating an image, the decisions you have to make to get the exact line, shape, or tone you want – it's a really thoughtful medium. I imagine Wouters standing in his snow-covered garden, bundled up, taking in the scene, maybe thinking about the cold and the way the snow blankets everything. The etched lines of the trees are so delicate. You can almost feel the crisp air. Wouters would have used different tools to scratch into the plate to get the desired lines and textures. There's a quietness to the scene, a stillness. It reminds me of how painters build on each other's ideas and techniques, each adding their own voice to the conversation. For me, this print reflects the beauty and complexity of our inner lives and invites us to slow down and see the world in new ways.