Boulevard Saint-Germain in Parijs 1901

Gerrit Haverkamp etched this view of the Boulevard Saint-Germain, and what I love is how he lets the line do almost all the work. There's something so immediate about an etching; you're right there with the artist as they work. Look at the way Haverkamp uses line to build form and depth. The buildings lean and breathe, not so much perfect architectural renderings but lively, wonky characters in a play. See how the lines are denser in some areas, creating shadow and weight? It’s all about the pressure and speed, and a little wiggle here and there. The whole scene feels like a stage set, slightly tilted, full of quirky details and a sense of movement. It makes me think of Bonnard, or even Spero, in their attention to the energy of the urban landscape and the beauty of a line. And it’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfection, it’s about capturing a feeling, a moment, a messy and beautiful slice of life.