Oude Schans en de Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam c. 1909

Willem Witsen etched this view of the Oude Schans and Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam, using a drypoint needle to create a burr for velvety blacks. It's all about the process here; how much pressure to use, when to re-bite the plate, and what kind of paper to print it on. The texture is incredible, right? Look closely at the sky and the water - Witsen used these fine, feathery lines to create an almost dreamlike effect. It's like he's not just showing us a place, but also a feeling, a memory. That tower, the Montelbaanstoren, is almost menacing in the way it looms over the scene. It reminds me a little of Piranesi, actually, but with a more intimate, personal touch. Both artists explore the way architecture can shape our perception of space and time. And, like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.