Aangemeerd zeilschip bij een toren aan de Oude Waal in Amsterdam c. 1912

Willem Witsen made this etching of a moored sailing ship in Amsterdam. The approach here feels so process-based, not just in the mark-making but in the whole vibe, like he’s feeling his way through the scene. The textures are so rich, you can almost feel the dampness of the canal and the rough brickwork. Look at the reflections in the water, how the lines quiver and break apart, it’s like a visual echo of the city. And then there's the ship, so solid and present, with all its rigging and details. It's like Witsen is saying, "Here I am, here is the world, let's figure it out together." Notice that dark patch beneath the hull. It’s such a small detail, but it anchors the whole piece, giving it weight and depth. Witsen reminds me a little of James McNeill Whistler, another master of mood and atmosphere. But where Whistler is all about elegance and refinement, Witsen feels more grounded, more real.