Kasteel van Pau in de schemering 1869 - 1937

Anton L. Koster made this etching of Kasteel van Pau in the schemering sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, using a metal plate and acid to create an image that feels both solid and fleeting. The whole piece has a gorgeous, almost velvety texture, thanks to the density of the etched lines. Look closely, and you can see how Koster varies the marks, some areas densely packed and dark, others more open, letting the light peek through, like the barest sliver of moon. In the lower left-hand corner the marks have a wild, almost scribbled quality and then as your eye travels up the tower they become more ordered, more architecturally solid. I’m reminded of Whistler’s atmospheric etchings, which also capture a sense of place with incredible economy. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is about feeling and suggesting, more than describing, and that sometimes, the less you say, the more powerfully you communicate.