Vieux canal (Old Canal) 1926

Jules de Bruycker made this Old Canal print with etching, a process where lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, and then printed. Look at the frenzy of marks. They give the image such texture, almost like the buildings are crumbling before our eyes, or maybe they're just breathing. The darks aren't flat; they're built up with so many tiny lines, it’s a real feat of layering and depth. Then there are the rooftops; each tile has its own little scratch, giving it a gritty feel. The reflections in the water are so good, just a mass of scribbles, somehow they suggest depth and movement. The way he’s handled the medium reminds me of Piranesi, who was also obsessed with architecture, especially the way it decays and transforms over time. Etching is great because it's not just about the image, but about the whole process, a conversation between the artist and the plate. It's full of happy accidents and unpredictable outcomes.