Gezicht op tuin met struiken en zonnebloemen 1916

Jan Mankes made this garden scene using etching techniques, resulting in a world rendered in delicate lines. I can almost feel him out there, squinting in the sun, trying to capture the essence of the garden. The way the light filters through those sunflowers, the gentle sway of the bushes. There's a real tenderness in how he's rendered the scene. It’s like he’s inviting us into a secret space. The thin lines and muted tones give a sense of quiet contemplation, making you want to pause and appreciate the small details. Mankes’ ability to convey depth and texture with such simplicity is really impressive. You can see how he’s part of a conversation with other artists, taking cues from printmakers like Whistler, but adding his own sensibility. He's not just documenting what he sees, but he's also adding his own voice to the world.