Les Oliviers 1929

André Dauchez made this etching called ‘Les Oliviers’, or ‘The Olive Trees,’ probably sometime in the early 20th century. The soft, feathery marks create a gentle, hazy atmosphere. You can almost feel the sun on your skin, and the breeze rustling through the leaves. What I really love is the way Dauchez uses line to create depth and texture. See how the lines are more dense and dark in the foreground, and then fade into the distance? It gives the trees a real sense of volume, like you could reach out and touch them. There’s something almost like Whistler about this piece, that quiet, contemplative mood. Both artists had an interest in capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere, but where Whistler goes all moody and nocturny, Dauchez is sunnier, warmer, a bit more optimistic. And that, I think, is what makes it so appealing. It's a reminder to slow down, breathe deep, and appreciate the simple beauty of the world around us.