Gezicht op de Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam c. 1913 - 1919

Willem Witsen made this etching of the Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam sometime between 1880 and 1923. The beautiful thing about etchings is how an artist coaxes value, form, and detail out of a metal plate, using tools to create small, precise marks. It’s a slow and thoughtful process. Look closely, and you can see how Witsen varied the density of lines to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The bridge and buildings in the foreground are etched with thicker, darker lines, giving them a sense of solidity, while the sky and distant buildings are rendered with lighter, more delicate lines. Notice the stillness in the water and the bustle of figures crossing the bridge. There’s a sense of everyday life captured here. You can see the influence of Whistler in Witsen’s atmospheric effects and tonalist palette, a shared interest in capturing fleeting moments and the poetry of urban life. It’s an open invitation to slow down, observe, and appreciate the subtle beauty of the world around us.