Winter in Ile-de-France

Michel Ciry made this etching, 'Winter in Ile-de-France', using a network of delicate lines that build up to reveal a rural scene. It's almost like he's knitting with ink! I love how the marks, especially in the sky, create a sense of movement, a flurry of birds taking flight. The ink is layered to create depth, from the skeletal trees in the foreground to the buildings nestled in the background. There's a real sense of atmosphere, like you can feel the chill in the air. Look at the way Ciry uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up the tones, it reminds me of the drawings of Käthe Kollwitz, with their raw intensity. 'Winter in Ile-de-France' isn't just a picture; it's a mood, a feeling, an ongoing conversation between the artist, the landscape, and us.