Gezicht op de Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam c. 1913 - 1919

Willem Witsen made this etching of the Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam, we don’t know exactly when. Look at how he uses line; it’s all about capturing a mood, right? The etching has this amazing, subtle texture. The lines create a sense of depth, especially in the water. See the bridge? How it's not just a structure, but a place where people gather, meet, pass each other. There’s a mark making economy here, and he makes the most of it. There’s a kind of softness, too, from the wiping of the plate, but the etched lines remain sharp. Notice the reflections on the water, achieved with these minimal, yet incredibly effective, strokes. Witsen was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Think of Whistler, who was also playing with tonalist etching at this time. Art isn’t about answers, it's about the conversation.