Vrouw die op een stoel naast een wieg zit 1887 - 1920

This is a print of a drawing by Albert Roelofs, made at some point in the early 20th century. You can see the artist felt his way into the image, using a slightly scratchy line to find the forms. It's so understated. Look at how the woman's form almost emerges from the background, a flurry of tiny marks defining her dress. Her posture, the way she leans slightly forward, suggests an alertness, an awareness of the space around her. The linear details create a tapestry of tonal variations, light and dark, soft and defined. In the background, a lattice of vertical lines creates depth, atmosphere. I’m reminded of Whistler in how Roelofs uses etching to create a sense of space and mood. I imagine he probably looked at Rembrandt too. But ultimately it has its own tender, quiet and understated feel.