Zittende vrouw 1915

Lodewijk Schelfhout made this print, Zittende Vrouw, at an unknown date using etching. Look at how he uses the marks to describe the figure. This reminds me of how I paint, where the process of making is really visible, like a roadmap of decisions. Schelfhout uses these tiny, almost frantic lines, building up the darks and lights to give her body volume and weight. The texture is incredible; you can almost feel the rough fabric behind her and the softness of her skin, it's physical. See that little cluster of lines just above her elbow? It’s like the whole piece hinges on that spot, radiating outward. For me, this print speaks to the ongoing conversation artists have across time, where each mark is a response to something seen, felt, and imagined. Art isn't about having all the answers; it's about asking the right questions, questions that linger long after we've moved on.