Ulm 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching, Ulm, sometime in the early 20th century. It’s kind of amazing how much information Grondhout conveys with such a minimal approach; he’s really letting the process do the work. Take a look at the top of the archway. Notice how the lines are almost scribbled, yet they create a sense of depth and texture. It feels like he’s scratching right into the surface of the plate, doesn't it? You can almost feel the grit under your fingernails. The light isn’t hitting that stone evenly, which gives the whole building that feeling of being weathered. There's a quality to etching that always reminds me of artists like Piranesi, whose architectural prints use a similarly evocative line. It’s like they’re both tapping into a shared language of mark-making, echoing each other across time. Ultimately, it's all about the conversation between artists, where each voice adds something new to the mix.