Saint-Oual 1902

André Dauchez made this print, Saint-Oual, using a monochrome palette to create a tranquil seaside scene. It's fascinating how the artist uses etching to build up this landscape, mark by mark. You can almost feel the breeze just by looking at it. The texture in this piece is wonderful; you can see the delicate lines creating depth and shadow, especially in the foreground. It’s almost like the artist is inviting us to trace their steps through the sand dunes. My eye keeps returning to that cluster of tiny houses in the distance. Each mark feels so intentional, yet the overall effect is effortless. Dauchez reminds me a little of Whistler, with his subtle tonal variations and focus on atmosphere. But there's also a unique sensibility at play here. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is a constant dialogue across time and place.