Carrera del Darro, Granada 1925

Louis Conrad Rosenberg made this etching, Carrera del Darro, Granada, sometime in the 20th century and just look at that process! The crisp and consistent strokes of the etching process offer a glimpse into the architectural beauty of Granada. What strikes me is the almost obsessive rendering of the brickwork in the bridge and buildings. Each line contributes to a dense network, creating a tactile surface that invites close inspection. See how the artist varies the density of the lines to suggest depth and shadow, especially under the arches of the bridge. Rosenberg reminds me a bit of Piranesi, actually, in the way he captures these historic urban environments. Though where Piranesi goes for drama and grandiosity, Rosenberg brings a quiet and understated sense of place, which is equally compelling. Both artists share this obsession with detail and texture and a fascination with the way we experience the built environment. And that’s why we keep making art, right? To keep that conversation going.