before 1943
Straat te Fez
Jo Bezaan
1894 - 1952Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
Here we have 'Straat te Fez' by Jo Bezaan, made with etching. Look at the way the lines build up, it’s all about the process of layering. It’s like a dance of light and shadow, isn’t it? The etching is really interesting; the texture feels almost velvety, like the walls are breathing. See how the artist captures the light reflecting on the walls, and the contrast between the sunlit areas and the dark shadows? The marks are built up gradually to create depth and atmosphere. Notice the lines used to depict figures in the street; there's such an economy of mark making. This piece makes me think of Piranesi, that master of architectural fantasy. But Bezaan brings a personal touch to the scene. Art isn't about fixed meanings but ongoing exchanges of ideas.