Brugje in Katwijk 1888 - 1934

This is Willem Adrianus Grondhout’s ‘Brugje in Katwijk’, an etching on paper. Look at the density of those lines, how they build up the scene, a real layering of marks. What I love about etching is how immediate it feels. The artist is right there, scratching away, making decisions as they go. And you can really see that here, the texture of the paper coming through, those varying densities of tone from the layering of marks creating depth and shadow. It’s like the artist is building the bridge right in front of us. Notice how the reflections in the water are rendered, not precise, but suggestive, implying movement and light. It's an economy of means. This reminds me of Whistler's etchings, that same interest in capturing a sense of place, but with a really personal touch. Art is just people talking to each other, across time, sharing ideas, and having a conversation.