Gezicht op de Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam c. 1913 - 1919

Willem Witsen created this aquatint of the Kikkerbilsluis in Amsterdam using various shades of black ink on paper. I can imagine Witsen standing on the bank of the canal, squinting into the light and meticulously scratching lines into the plate. The composition is interesting. What looks like a simple scene is interrupted by the geometry of the bridge, which cuts through the picture plane. I suppose it has a kind of photographic quality because of that. The dark shading and rough texture give the scene a gritty feel. I wonder if Witsen was drawn to the way the light reflects on the water. The people on the bridge look as if they are simply passing through. It’s as if the artist has captured a fleeting moment in the city’s daily life. Looking at this print reminds me of Whistler’s etchings of London. It’s as if these artists are trying to capture the mood of the city. They invite us to observe and reflect on the world around us.