Vlucht voor de bui 1918

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp made this intriguing print, Vlucht voor de bui, using an etching technique. The mark-making is all about texture, building up a complex network of lines to create depth and drama. There's this incredible swirling pattern to the lines, especially in the 'storm' overhead, that feels almost alive. It's like the weather itself is breathing down on the figure, who is hunched over, seeking shelter. You can almost feel the weight of the storm. Look closely at how Nieuwenkamp varies the density of the lines. It creates a fantastic contrast between the solid, tactile surfaces of the fallen tree, and the airy, almost chaotic atmosphere of the storm. It makes me think of Piranesi, with his dramatic use of light and shadow and his knack for turning architecture into something almost menacing. But here, it's nature that's doing the menacing, and it's utterly captivating.