De Anarchie 1895 - 1949

Jan Toorop made this print called 'De Anarchie' using etching techniques, and looking at it feels like diving into a dream, or maybe a slightly unsettling graphic novel. What strikes me is how Toorop uses line, the density of it, and the way it almost vibrates on the paper. The lines aren't just describing shapes; they're building a whole world of texture and feeling. There's this upside-down figure holding a cross that catches my eye. The cross is typically a symbol of hope, but here, turned on its head, it feels like the opposite, a symbol of chaos. The way the lines swarm around this figure, creating a sense of unease and unrest, makes me think of other artists who explored psychological landscapes through their work, like Munch. Ultimately, Toorop's image invites us to embrace ambiguity and find our own way through the complexities of meaning.