Fotoreproductie van een prent naar een schilderij, voorstellende een kind voert eenden before 1871

This photogravure presents a serene scene depicting a child feeding ducks, rendered in monochrome tones. The composition is dominated by the contrast between light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and texture. The artist uses the interplay of light to define forms, from the soft contours of the child to the textured foliage in the background. This emphasis on tonal variation reveals a concern with the materiality of light itself. Semiotically, the image functions as a signifier of innocence, contrasting the purity of childhood with the natural world. The choice of monochrome adds a layer of nostalgia, suggesting a romanticized past. Ultimately, the photogravure functions as a mediation between different planes of reality, where the medium itself becomes a key element in constructing meaning, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationship between art, representation, and the construction of idealized beauty.