Brug 1943

Johan Hendrik van Mastenbroek made this lovely, understated print "Brug," using etching, a process where lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, then inked and printed. The monochromatic palette gives it a dream-like quality, a scene remembered rather than directly observed. Look at the way the etched lines create texture, especially in the buildings on either side of the canal. There’s a real sense of weight and solidity. You can almost feel the cool dampness of the stone. Then, the lines describing the water are much more fluid and reflective, capturing the movement and light. The bridge itself is like a delicate connector between these two worlds. I find myself focusing on the cloud forms. See how Mastenbroek leaves parts of the paper untouched, letting the negative space define the billowing shapes. This print reminds me of the work of Whistler, who also captured urban scenes with a similar sense of atmosphere and restraint. But Mastenbroek brings his own unique touch, a quiet, contemplative vision of the city. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfect representation, but about opening up new ways of seeing and feeling.