Boomstronk 1931

Simon Moulijn made this print called Boomstronk, which means tree trunk, using etching techniques. It’s a monochromatic print with a focus on texture and light. I imagine Moulijn out in the woods, sketching this fallen tree. You can almost feel the quiet stillness of the forest, broken only by the rustling leaves. The tree trunk itself becomes a character, lying there, weathered and worn, with all its knots and gnarled surfaces. It reminds me of some of those close-up landscape paintings by Van Gogh, where every little detail matters. Look at the way Moulijn uses light and shadow to create depth. The dark areas behind the tree contrast with the brighter areas on the trunk, making it feel like it’s popping out of the image. You can see how he’s built up the tones with all those tiny etched lines, going this way and that, building a rich surface. It's a reminder that artists are always in conversation with one another, finding new ways to express their vision.