Parijs 1888 - 1934

This is Parijs, by Willem Adrianus Grondhout, an etching on paper. Just imagine the artist, Grondhout, working en plein air, capturing the light and atmosphere of Paris with a series of delicate, nervous lines. See how the city unfolds across the horizon, its architecture and light rendered with so few marks. You get a sense of place, a feeling, rather than a photographic representation of a scene. I am feeling the materiality of the etching process here. You know, the way the acid bites into the metal, leaving its trace on the paper? There is a directness, an immediacy, which is unique to printmaking. The cross-hatching and varied line weights bring volume and texture to the city and the water, and the scene comes alive. Grondhout’s work resonates with the Impressionists’ interest in capturing fleeting moments and sensory experiences. This work feels very modern but also deeply rooted in the traditions of landscape painting. It's a testament to the ongoing dialogue between artists, each building on the work of those who came before.