Pont de la Tournelle in Parijs 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching of the Pont de la Tournelle in Paris, and when you look closely, you can see how the image comes into being through a network of delicate lines. I can imagine Grondhout walking along the Seine and stopping to capture the scene with his keen eye and a steady hand. There's a lot of detail in this little image, and it feels like he enjoyed rendering the buildings and the arches of the bridge in the background, using these lines to create depth and texture. He's really thought about how different marks can suggest the hustle and bustle of a city scene. It’s like he's inviting us to take a stroll with him along the river. The light in this etching reminds me of other artists like Whistler, who was also interested in capturing the fleeting moments of city life. These artists are all in conversation, using their work to show us new ways of seeing and experiencing the world around us.