The ancient Hortus

Interiors of natural scientists

The natural scientist is someone who, like an artist, is 'in another world' when he is at work. The interiors explore the possibilities of the two-dimensional plane to create an illusion of space. Flat wall surfaces create the impression of a room, while objects, paintings and decorated wallpaper suggest an entirely different space: the jungle or the sea.

In fact, what we see is as flat as the paper on which the representation is printed. This two-dimensional representation creates not only the illusion of space but also of movement, of life.

This series of etchings depicts, as it were, the adult's dual attitude towards the imagination: on the one hand, the desire to merge into a world of fantasy just like the playing child, on the other hand, the fateful awareness that this fantasy world is not real.

The work themes precisely this tension between the inanimate images and the life depicted.

To be sources of inspiration: 17th century engravings in the atmosphere of Piranesi, natural science, literature and first and foremost the romantic longing for a world that is not there but that you can only dream of.

In designing the etchings, Petri uses the collage technique, creating complex and often surprising compositions. Then the drawing is drawn on one etching plate and bitten in stages. The etchings are multi-color prints. By always 'painting' a colour on the plate and then printing it 'wet in wet', an effect of depth is created.

• Annemarie Petri (The Hague, 1965) is a versatile artist. She makes paintings, sculptures and etchings/engravings.
• Her great technical capacity is always at the service of evoking a very own, fairytale-like and melancholic world. Her range in this is large, from bizarre to humorous, from alienating to recognizable.
• The great concentration and love with which she carries out her meticulous performances is striking.
• Annemarie was educated at the Free Academy in The Hague (1984-1989) and has since built up an excellent reputation, first as a graphic artist, later as a painter and sculptor.
• She has been a teacher of drawing, painting and etching for more than 20 years. Her work is shown at home and abroad in various museums, galleries and at fairs.
• Petri's Etchings distinguish themselves with surprising compositions based on 17th century engravings in the atmosphere of Piranesi, natural science, literature and in the first place the romantic longing for a world that is not there but that you can only dream of.
• Click Here for Annemarie Petri's website