Brug over de Theems in Londen 1888 - 1934

This is Willem Adrianus Grondhout’s etching of the Thames in London. It's a tiny thing, made up of quick, restless marks. It’s almost like he’s feeling his way through the scene, letting the needle scratch out what he sees, or what he remembers. The whole image trembles, doesn’t it? The water, the bridge, even the buildings in the background seem to be dissolving. It's a very physical print, you can really sense the artist pushing and pulling, the different pressures he applied to get these lines down, so that the whole thing feels alive, in motion. It's as if the artist's hand is dancing across the plate. This reminds me of Whistler's prints, which also had this lightness and delicacy. And like Whistler, Grondhout shows us that sometimes, the smallest gestures can contain the biggest feelings. It is a reminder that art isn't about capturing a perfect image, but it's more about capturing a feeling, a moment, an experience.