Zittende man steekt pijp aan 1642 - 1714

This etching, 'Seated Man Lighting a Pipe', by the monogrammist CH, captivates with its study of light and shadow. The artist masterfully uses etching to create a chiaroscuro effect, where the contrast between dark, heavily etched areas and the lighter, untouched paper defines the subject. Notice how the deep, almost chaotic lines in the background give way to finer, more controlled strokes that detail the man’s face and hands. The composition, while simple, is structured around the man's focused gaze and actions. The table serves as a horizon line, grounding the figure, while the swirling lines behind him seem to suggest a world of thought and internal activity. The act of lighting a pipe, mundane as it is, becomes an exploration of form and process. This work challenges us to look closely at the marks themselves, to consider how they construct not just an image, but a complex interplay of light, shadow, and form.