Alte Gasse (Old Alleyway) c. 1915

Franz Gaudeck made this etching, "Alte Gasse," which translates to "Old Alleyway," sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The lines are so delicate, a bit nervous maybe. I can imagine him bent over the plate, carefully scratching the surface, thinking about the old buildings, the way the light hits them. There's a looseness to it, but also a real sense of place. The way the lines describe the buildings, leaning in on each other as if they're gossiping. Then there is a figure that seems to be floating through the scene. You can see how printmaking can feel so connected to drawing, but with this added layer of process. What I love about etchings is this sense of the artist's hand, the way you can almost feel the pressure of the tool on the plate. It's this direct connection to the artist's touch that makes it so compelling, you know? And it's always inspiring to see how artists working in different times and places find ways to capture the world around them.