Oud huis met vrouw 1887 - 1949

This etching, Oud huis met vrouw (Old House with Woman), was made by Chris van der Windt, probably in the early 20th century. It's a super small work made with etching, so imagine the painstaking labor involved. It is a scene from another time. I'm picturing Van der Windt outside this ramshackle house with its thatched roof. A woman stands in the doorway, and you can almost feel the quiet of the countryside. Etching can be unforgiving; there’s a directness. It requires careful planning and skill to make a convincing image. The composition is built up from fine lines, creating contrast between light and shadow. Looking at this tiny world, I think about other artists working at the time, like the impressionists, and how they were also trying to capture fleeting moments in paint. Ultimately, we’re all in conversation with each other, reaching across time, inspiring new generations to create.