Toren van de Oude Kerk in Amsterdam c. 1907 - 1908

This is Pieter Dupont's ‘Toren van de Oude Kerk in Amsterdam’, but the date is unknown. You can see that it's an etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the artist’s hand but also on chance and chemistry. The network of lines in this piece has an emotional feel, as if Dupont were trying to capture not just the tower, but also the mood of the place. Look at the way he scratches in the bare trees. There’s a real feeling of place and the passage of time. If you follow the lines, you will see that Dupont wants to show you how light falls on the buildings. It's like he wants you to wander and get lost in all the detail. You can almost feel the coolness of the stone and brick. It reminds me of the etchings of Piranesi, who was also fascinated by buildings, light, and the weight of history. I think this is a beautiful print, full of character and a certain melancholic charm.