Ossewagen 1878 - 1943

Willem van Konijnenburg made this etching called 'Ossewagen' - that's Dutch for ox cart - using a network of fine lines to create a scene filled with movement and light. I like the way the texture of the paper becomes part of the image, adding depth and a kind of rawness. The whole thing has a feeling of being caught on the fly, like a snapshot. Look at how the lines around the oxen are thicker and darker, really grounding them, while the background figures are just suggested with the bare minimum of marks. It reminds me a little of Rembrandt, who also used etching to capture everyday life with such sensitivity. The image isn’t trying to give you all the answers. Instead, the ambiguity is what makes it so engaging. You're invited to fill in the gaps, to imagine the sounds and smells of this busy scene. Art isn't about providing fixed meanings but about sparking an ongoing conversation.