Paysage des vosges 1943

Roger Vieillard made this etching, Paysage des Vosges, at some point in the 20th century. It's a landscape distilled down to its bare bones, built up through intricate networks of tiny, precise lines, almost like he’s mapping out a whole world with just the tip of his tool. The surface has this incredible tactile quality, even though it’s just on paper. Look closely at how he renders the hillside; each stroke feels deliberate, creating this sense of depth and texture. And the way the bare trees frame the scene, it’s like he’s inviting us to step into his memory of this place. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s subtle, linear abstractions, both artists using repetition and restraint to create something that feels almost meditative. There’s a beauty in this quietude, a reminder that art doesn’t always have to shout to be heard.