Gezicht op huizen aan een rivier in Batavia c. 1921

Willem Witsen made this view of houses along a river in Batavia with etching. It's all about process, you know? I can almost feel the artist at work, making one tiny mark at a time. The texture! Look how Witsen captures the rough surfaces of the buildings, all those roofs, and the way the light flickers on the water. It feels like he's right there, not trying to make it slick or perfect, but honest. See the little potted plants on the balcony? Such a small detail, but it brings so much life to the whole scene. It reminds me of Whistler, how he also found poetry in the everyday. It's about embracing the mess, letting the process guide you, and finding beauty in the unexpected.