The Castel Sant'Angelo 1961

Anton Lehmden made this etching of The Castel Sant'Angelo, and it's like he’s building the image right in front of you. It's all about the line, a kind of scratching and building, layering up a vision. Looking closely, you can almost feel the burr of the etching needle biting into the plate. There's a raw energy here, a texture that pulls you in. The density of the lines around the Castel creates a palpable weight, an almost oppressive atmosphere. Then, the stark white spaces push back, keeping it dynamic. See how the lines don't just describe form, but also seem to suggest movement and disruption? It reminds me of Piranesi, but with a more personal, anxious edge. Lehmden is making something new out of the ruins of history, turning solid structures into mirages. Art’s like that, isn't it? Never just one thing.