The Pont-Neuf 1901

Here's an etching of the Pont-Neuf in Paris by Auguste-Louis Lepère. It’s a small work, done on a metal plate, and it's all about the push and pull of light and dark. I imagine Lepère standing there, squinting, trying to capture the city's buzz with these tiny lines. Look at how he's scratched the surface to create texture, to give a sense of movement and life. You can almost hear the water lapping against the stone, the distant rumble of the city. The Pont-Neuf feels so solid, but look closer. The etching is so delicate, almost ephemeral. It's like Lepère is showing us that even the most permanent things are always changing, always in flux. You know, it reminds me of Piranesi who made endless prints of Rome. It is all about place and memory. Artists have always done this, inspiring and challenging each other across time, it's a real conversation.