Gezicht op de Fassziehergasse te Wenen before 1902

This image of Fassziehergasse in Vienna, comes to us from the late 19th or early 20th century, by the hand of Franz Holluber. Looking at this, I’m thinking about the quiet concentration of the artist, carefully rendering the details of the street with ink and a steady hand. Imagine Holluber standing there, perhaps with a sketchbook, observing the subtle gradations of light and shadow on the buildings. You know, like Hopper, but different. The ink is applied delicately, with subtle variations in tone to evoke the textures of the brick, the cobblestones, and the intricate architectural details. It really makes you think about the quiet, contemplative act of seeing and translating the world onto paper. It’s about time and attention, and that’s kind of what painting is, right? Paying attention to all of the little things. It’s a good reminder to slow down, and see what’s around you.