Karel Rosier Vermeer Lacemaker Woodcut

A woodcut titled “De Kantwerkster”, signed by Karel Rosier below the print in pencil. This example is #2 out of 100 produced. The picture portion measures 7-1/8" x 9-1/2". The entire sheet measures 12-1/8" x 15-7/8".
There is a handwritten note on the back of the print that reads:

Elkeen bemint de plaats waar hij het levenslicht aanschouwde, waar hij als kind speelde en opgroeide, waar hij zijn kinderjaren sleet. Waar mijn wiegje stond.
Aan mijn peter en Française  (26/4/84)

Everybody loves the place where he met the light of life. Where he played and grew up as a child, where he spent his childhood years. Where my cradle stood.
To my godfather and Françoise  (April 26, 1984)
(many thanks to Jo Falkink for the translation).

Karel Rosier (1906-1990) from Geraardsbergen (Grammont), Belgium - the heart of the Belgian Chantilly industry. He was a best known as a painter and was also a poet, philosopher, water color and woodcraft artist. His primary theme was his hometown and its inhabitants. A retrospective of his work was held in 2007: http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=kh1gnha4. Here is an example of a lacemaker's song from the region which is sometimes displayed with this woodcut:

first posted 1/31/2009