Romeinse brug over de Guadalquivir in Córdoba 1901

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp created this etching of the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir in Córdoba using delicate lines and a muted palette. I like to imagine the artist standing on the banks of the river, squinting his eyes to capture the shimmering light and the grandeur of the ancient structure. There’s a real sense of stillness to this print, don’t you think? The water is almost eerily calm, with the arches of the bridge mirrored in its surface. Look closely at the architectural details – Nieuwenkamp's mark-making captures the rough, weathered texture of the stone, and the way the light filters through the arches creates a sense of depth and volume. The drawing has a dream-like quality, reminding me of Piranesi's architectural fantasies, even though the style is quite different. As artists, we’re always looking at each other’s work, borrowing ideas and techniques, building on the traditions of the past. When I look at the work of artists like Nieuwenkamp, I feel part of a long conversation that stretches back centuries, a conversation about the meaning of form and the beauty of the world around us.