Oude vrouw in een veld bij een boerderij 1867 - 1890

This etching of an old woman in a field by Philip Zilcken is rendered with a directness that brings us close to its subject. The artist used etching, a printmaking technique involving biting lines into a metal plate with acid, and then using this plate to transfer the design onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the lines vary in thickness and depth, creating a range of tones that give the scene its atmosphere. Zilcken was deeply engaged with the rural landscape. The choice of etching as a medium speaks to this interest, as it allowed for a detailed yet intimate portrayal. The technique also mirrors the slow, deliberate labor of farm work itself. Each line etched into the plate represents a moment of careful attention and physical effort, reflecting the lives of the people depicted. Ultimately, this print reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but how it is made, and whose stories it tells.