Tempel in Benares bij avond Possibly 1914 - 1919

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp made this etching, Temple in Benares at Evening, and it’s like stepping into a dream. The monochromatic palette gives it a timeless feel, and the marks feel almost casual, as if he sketched it in one sitting. Look at how the texture builds up, especially in the foreground. You can almost feel the roughness of the steps leading up to the temple. The etching feels like he’s pulled back the darkness to reveal the temple. The light in the background is so different, softer. The etched lines feel very deliberate, each one adding depth and shadow, creating this almost tangible atmosphere. It reminds me a bit of Piranesi's architectural prints, in how Nieuwenkamp plays with light and shadow, but with a personal touch. It’s this blend of the real and the imagined, the seen and the felt, that makes this piece so captivating.