Brug bij Marga op Bali 1907

This is Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp’s Brug bij Marga op Bali, an etching made sometime in the early 20th century. The image is built up from so many tiny marks; they create the light and atmosphere of this Balinese landscape. It reminds me of how process-oriented artmaking can be, a meditation on time and labor. Looking closely, you can see how the marks coalesce to form the bridge, the water flowing beneath, and the figures walking across. The texture is rich and varied, from the dense shadows under the bridge to the lighter, airier foliage in the background. Notice the way the artist varies the pressure and angle of the etching tool to create different effects, building up a sense of depth and volume. Nieuwenkamp was known for his travel sketches and etchings, and this piece feels like a page from a sketchbook, a fleeting impression captured with skill and sensitivity. In its intimacy, it also brings to mind the work of someone like Whistler, who had a similar appreciation for the tonal possibilities of etching. It’s a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself, across time and cultures.