The Piazzetta, Venice c. 1900 - 1920

Eugène Vail captured this Venetian scene using charcoal on paper. See how the charcoal isn't just lines, but smudges and blurs too? It's like he's not just drawing what he sees, but also how he feels. Artmaking is a process of feeling your way through the dark, literally in this case. The surface has this velvety texture, thanks to the charcoal. Look closely, you can almost feel the soft, powdery residue on your fingertips. It's not about sharp details but about capturing the mood, the atmosphere of a city at night, the lights casting a hazy glow. That column on the right, it’s not a perfect cylinder. See how it wavers? It’s like a memory, not quite solid, shifting in the shadows. This reminds me a little of Whistler, playing with light and shadow, and creating impressions rather than perfect representations. But Vail brings his own touch, that charcoal adding a raw, intimate feel. It’s like he’s inviting you to step into his Venice, a Venice seen through feeling.