Het oude kerkhof van Bouzaréah, bij Algiers 1910

Philip Zilcken made this etching, "The old cemetery of Bouzaréah, near Algiers," with ink on paper. The first thing that hits you is the texture, achieved through delicate lines. It's not just about the image, but also the process, you know? Zilcken coaxes out the detail of the foliage, the way the light hits the dome in the distance, with an incredible economy of means. Look closely at the center of the piece, the way the trees form a cluster, almost like a protective huddle. The marks here seem denser, tangled, and from that point radiate outwards, lightening as they go. These etched lines are incredibly physical, almost tactile, and yet it's all an illusion created by ink on paper. It reminds me of Piranesi, that 18th century master of architectural fantasy, who was similarly obsessed with line and tone. Ultimately, this piece celebrates not just a place, but the act of seeing itself, always changing, never fixed.