Straatje in Voorburg 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this print, Straatje in Voorburg, which translates to "Street in Voorburg", using etching, a process that gives it a real sense of depth, doesn't it? The lines are so delicate and close together, they almost vibrate. Look how he's built the image out of tiny, tiny marks, the overall tonal range is very narrow. Those marks are so evocative, it's almost like he's caressing the plate with his needle. It makes me think about printmaking as this really intimate, physical act. The textures are incredible – see how the walls of the buildings lean inward as the street recedes. I love the way he suggests the light filtering through the buildings. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s etchings, especially in its focus on the atmospheric effects of light and shadow. It's like a visual poem, isn't it? So much feeling packed into a small space.