Interieur van de Chapelle Hospitalières de St. Thomas de Villeneuve 1907 - 1911

Henri Manesse made this print, 'Interieur van de Chapelle Hospitalières de St. Thomas de Villeneuve', sometime between 1870 and 1940. The subdued colour palette is mostly greyscale, but it's the mark making that I think is most interesting. The dense linework builds up atmosphere and gives the space a real sense of depth. Look how the lines of the architecture converge, drawing your eye into the heart of the chapel. I'm struck by the way Manesse captures the light filtering through the windows, creating subtle gradations of tone. It’s incredible how just lines can create this feeling! I’m reminded of Piranesi's etchings of Roman ruins, with their similar attention to detail and atmosphere. But Manesse brings his own sensibility to the genre, capturing the quiet dignity of this interior space. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, building on what came before while finding new ways to see the world.