Huizen in aanbouw 1892 - 1928

Johannes Löhr made this etching, ‘Huizen in aanbouw,’ probably sometime in the early 20th century. What strikes me right away is how Löhr uses such simple, direct lines to capture a scene of urban construction. It’s all in the process here, right? I mean, look at the texture! It’s like he’s carving into the metal plate to find the image, not just drawing it. The lines aren’t precious; they’re there to build the scene, layer by layer. The scaffolding on the left — see how the lines are almost frantic, like a jumble of toothpicks holding everything up? It’s not about perfect representation; it’s about the energy of building, the chaos and the potential. It reminds me a bit of Piranesi’s etchings of Rome, but with a grittier, more modern feel. It’s like Löhr is saying, “This is what it feels like to be in the middle of change, of something new being built.” Art isn’t about fixed meanings. It’s an ongoing conversation about how we see and experience the world.