Middagmaal 1903 - 1920

This is "Middagmaal", made with lithography by Stoomsteendrukkerij Senefelder. Look at the way the blacks define the interior space, the hearth, and the figures. You can almost feel the lithographic crayon moving across the stone, each mark carefully placed to build up tone and texture. It's like the artist is feeling their way through the scene, letting the image emerge gradually. I wonder what it was like for Stoomsteendrukkerij Senefelder to create this image. Maybe they were thinking about the quiet intimacy of family life, the simple act of sharing a meal. The steam rising from the food creates a sense of warmth and connection. It's a moment of respite from the outside world, a chance to be present with loved ones. I think of Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who used printmaking to explore themes of family, poverty, and social justice. Both artists remind us that art can be a powerful tool for empathy and understanding, bridging the gap between our own experiences and the lives of others.