Straatje in Voorburg 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this print of a Voorburg street with etching. Imagine him, standing in the street, plate in hand, composing the scene that unfolds before him. The scene shimmers with delicate lines and subtle tonal variations. See how the artist uses these etched lines to define the architectural forms, and how the contrast between light and shadow adds depth and atmosphere to the street scene. It’s so ephemeral and fleeting, like a memory. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s architectural studies. Look at the expressive quality of the lines. There is an amazing sense of detail, like the texture of the walls, or the window hanging open above. All made using the simple, humble art of the etched line. The image is a reminder that art is often about capturing a moment in time, and that the simplest of subjects can be transformed into something beautiful through the artist’s vision and skill.