Londen 1888 - 1931

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching called ‘Londen’, using finely etched lines to bring the scene to life. I can imagine him carefully layering those tiny marks, building up the image bit by bit, like knitting a picture. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s etchings, that same moody, atmospheric vibe. The whole thing shimmers with light. What do you think he was thinking when he made it? Maybe he was trying to capture a fleeting moment, a memory of a day by the river? Look at the way he's used all these small, dark strokes to create the feeling of the water, or those vertical marks making up the buildings. Each one adds to the overall impression of a bustling city. I love the way all these little gestures come together to create a sense of place and mood.