Bagijnhofje 1887 - 1931

Frans Everbag made this print, ‘Bagijnhofje,’ with etching and aquatint. Look at the way the light flickers over the brickwork and cobblestones – it's a real process of layering tones, of building up the image bit by bit. It's interesting to think about how Everbag approached this piece. There's a softness, a kind of dreamy quality that comes from the aquatint, but also a precision in the etched lines. Notice the way he captures the texture of the brick, or the reflection in the windows. It gives the whole scene a tangible, lived-in feel. The buildings almost seem to breathe, and it’s as if you can hear the echo of footsteps on the stone. This print reminds me of the work of artists like James McNeill Whistler, who were also fascinated by capturing the atmosphere of urban life. It shows how artists build on each other's ideas.