Gezicht op de Krom Boomssloot 71 in Amsterdam c. 1906

Willem Witsen made this print of Gezicht op de Krom Boomssloot 71 in Amsterdam, in monochrome. It’s an etching, a process that's all about controlled accidents. See how Witsen captured the brickwork and the cobblestones? Look at the details. The etching feels precise, but there's a kind of moody atmosphere, too. The grays and blacks give it a timeless quality, like a memory fading in and out. It is like he is interested in not just the building, but also the effect of light and atmosphere. Witsen reminds me of Whistler, obsessed with atmosphere and tonal control. There’s a similar sensibility, a kind of quiet observation that elevates the mundane. Ultimately, art invites us to see the world, and maybe ourselves, in new ways. It's about embracing the questions, not just seeking answers.