Tiber, Rome before 1931

Etienne Bosch’s ‘Tiber, Rome’ is an etching – it feels like a whisper of a place, seen maybe through memory. The etching is all in these delicate greens and greys. Look closely and you'll see how the lines aren’t just describing the scene, but are also creating a kind of atmosphere. There is this incredible balance between the architectural details and the overall airy feel. It's like Bosch wasn't just trying to show us Rome, but also trying to capture the feeling of being there. Notice the way the river is suggested with these horizontal strokes, giving it this almost shimmery quality. And then, how those lines build up to create the textures of the buildings. It’s all so subtle, so process-oriented. For me, the way Bosch uses the etching technique reminds me a bit of Whistler, this idea of creating a mood more than a picture. But Bosch has his own thing, a quiet, observant kind of mark making. It's less about showing off skill and more about tuning into a place.