In de straat Rome before 1931

Etienne Bosch made this etching, *In de straat Rome*, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The cross hatching and fine lines are like a spider web of marks. I love the way the artist lets the image emerge through a tonally sensitive approach, building up the image through a network of fine lines. Bosch's etched lines create a scene shrouded in shadow, figures emerging from the gloom like ghosts. Looking closely, you can almost feel the scratch of the needle on the plate. Notice how the deep blacks on the right contrast with the lighter areas near the archway, creating depth and drama. I love the way the building in the background seems to dissolve into the shadows, leaving much to the imagination. This reminds me a bit of Whistler's atmospheric prints of London. Both artists use the etching process to capture a sense of place and mood. And like Whistler, Bosch seems more interested in capturing a feeling than providing a literal depiction. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfect representation, but about suggestion, nuance, and the pleasure of looking.