The Bay at Saint-Tropez (Le Golfe de Saint-Tropez) 1927

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac made this etching, "The Bay at Saint-Tropez," using only thin lines to create an image that feels both delicate and strong. The lines, all going in different directions, build up the image slowly, like putting together a puzzle. What's so cool about this piece is the way it uses line to make you feel the light and shadow. See how the lines are dense in the trees? This creates a feeling of shade, but where the lines are sparse, there’s light. I find the texture and the surface fascinating because it's all about the physical act of drawing, scratching, and leaving a mark. Look at the way the lines pile up to create texture in the foliage, and how that contrasts with the smoother sky. Segonzac reminds me a bit of some early Cezanne landscapes, both artists are really engaging with the landscape and thinking through the process of seeing. Art isn't about perfect images, it's more about the conversation between the artist, the materials, and what they're looking at.