Pont Saint-Benezet, Avignon 1919

Ian Strang made this etching of the Pont Saint-Benezet in Avignon. The tonal range is limited to a narrow band of browns and creams, and it’s the mark making that really defines the forms. The etched lines are hatched and cross-hatched, creating a sense of depth and texture that describes not only the bridge, but the water and the foliage too. I love the way the etching captures the crumbling stone of the bridge. There’s a real sense of history and decay in the image, as if the bridge is slowly returning to the river from which it came. Look at the way Strang uses short, broken lines to suggest the rough texture of the stone, and how he contrasts this with the smooth, flowing lines of the water. The bridge feels monumental, but also fragile, a testament to human ingenuity but also the power of nature. This reminds me of Piranesi’s architectural etchings, but somehow more intimate and personal. Ultimately, art is about seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world in new ways.