Brug over de Rio di San Toma, Venetië c. 1914 - 1919

This etching of a bridge over the Rio di San Toma in Venice was created by Willem Witsen. Can you imagine him there, feeling the Venetian light as he captured the reflections in the water? The linear marks, like rapid notations, bring forth the textures of buildings and boats. It makes me think of how artists find new ways to see and represent the world around them. Look at the different tones and textures he's created with simple lines. The varying weights of the lines create a sense of depth and atmosphere, almost like a visual poem. I find myself drawn to the artist’s mark-making—the quick strokes suggesting movement, the detailed rendering of reflections on the water's surface. I think of Whistler and the Impressionists, all pushing the boundaries of what painting could be. It’s like we’re all having one big conversation across time, sharing ideas and inspiring each other. And that’s what makes art so endlessly fascinating.