Gezicht op Côm Al-Akhdar 1890 - 1930

Philip Zilcken made this etching, titled ‘Gezicht op Côm Al-Akhdar,’ which roughly translates to ‘View of Côm Al-Akhdar,’ using delicate lines to depict a distant view of a settlement. The marks feel tentative, like the artist is feeling their way through the scene, trying to capture something elusive. It’s the kind of image that pulls you in close. Look how Zilcken uses the subtle textures of the paper to suggest light and atmosphere. The faint, almost ghostly lines create a sense of distance and stillness, especially in the sky, which takes up about a third of the composition. Notice how the palm trees on the left are rendered with a series of quick, broken lines, capturing the spiky texture of the fronds. And those buildings! They’re so minimally described, yet they have a palpable sense of weight and solidity. Zilcken’s prints remind me a little of Whistler’s etchings, in the way they use a limited palette and a sense of quiet observation to create a mood. It’s not about grand gestures or dramatic effects, but about finding beauty in the everyday.