Apse of St.-Didier, Avignon 1922

F.L. Griggs made this print of the Apse of St.-Didier in Avignon using etching on paper. The image shows an intriguing composition. It is a low vantage point, looking up at this large apse as it towers above the street. The church is very angular and upright. The sky is almost white, giving everything an even, pale light. But there's also so much detail! You see the regular pattern of bricks in the walls. The artist must have spent so long working at the plate, etching line after line. It’s amazing how much variation of shading and depth he can create. This piece reminds me of the prints of Piranesi, except more reserved somehow. Both artists depict ancient buildings with a kind of dramatic, shadowy air. They are both so good at creating a world with their lines! Artists have always looked to the past for inspiration, finding new ways to interpret what has come before.