Achtergevels van de Voorstraat 475 en 473 in Dordrecht c. 1898 - 1900

Willem Witsen created this print, Achtergevels van de Voorstraat 475 en 473 in Dordrecht, using etching. The composition offers a seemingly simple arrangement of architectural facades. Witsen’s masterful use of tonal variations transforms the ordinary into a study of light and shadow. The brickwork is depicted through a complex network of lines and textures, presenting the buildings not just as structures but as surfaces marked by time. Note the windows and their rhythmic placement; they act as framing devices within the frame, drawing attention to the interplay between interior and exterior space. The etcher's technique is evident in the way the lines vary in depth and thickness, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The subtle gradations of tone suggest that we are viewing the buildings at a specific moment, perhaps early morning or late afternoon, when the light casts long shadows and the details are softened by the haze. It encourages us to consider the materiality of the buildings, the way they stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time and the rhythms of daily life.