Gezicht op Sutter Street in San Francisco c. 1915 - 1919

Willem Witsen made this etching, *Gezicht op Sutter Street in San Francisco*, with drypoint. He has this wonderfully loose approach to mark making, almost like he's sketching with the needle. You can see how the marks layer up to create a sense of depth, like a visual poem about space. The tones in this print are muted, almost monochromatic, which gives it a dreamy quality. There's this patch of scribbled lines in the foreground, it could be grass or water, it pulls your eye into the composition. It is a beautiful example of how a few simple marks can evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. You might think of Whistler's prints when you look at this piece, there's that same interest in capturing fleeting moments and urban scenes. Witsen's work reminds us that art is about process, about the artist's touch and their unique way of seeing the world.