Torens van de Sint-Nicolaaskerk in Praag c. 1900 - 1947

This is Janina Szciamicka's print of the Towers of St. Nicholas Church in Prague. There's something charming about the way Szciamicka approaches mark-making. It's so straightforward, almost architectural in its precision, yet it feels really loose and organic, too. The black ink is laid down with such confidence, creating these intricate textures that give the towers a real sense of weight and presence. Look at how she renders the dome in the foreground with this cross-hatched pattern. It’s like she's building up the form with tiny little lines, each one adding to the overall sense of volume and depth. I think Szciamicka's work has something in common with Piranesi, both are able to create this sense of depth and drama, especially in the way they capture the texture of stone and brick. But, whereas Piranesi is grandiose, Szciamicka is almost humble. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfection or fixed meanings; it's about exploring, questioning, and embracing the unknown.