Amiens Cathedral 1907

This is a print of Amiens Cathedral by Auguste-Louis Lepère. He has built this intricate edifice out of lots of teeny tiny little lines! Looking closely, you can see how Lepère uses etching to give the image depth. See how he varies the density and direction of the lines to create a sense of light and shadow? In the lower section, around the bustling crowds, the lines are darker and more concentrated, while higher up, towards the cathedral's spires, they become lighter and sparser. It's all about that contrast! I’m intrigued by the surface of the print itself - the way the ink sits on the paper, almost like a delicate skin. This reminds me of Piranesi, another printmaker, or maybe even a drawing by Cy Twombly. The conversation goes on. Ultimately this image isn't a fixed thing, its meaning is something we can each invent for ourselves.