Kanaal in Venetië met een gondel en de trap naar de Rialtobrug c. 1914 - 1919

Willem Witsen made this etching of a Venice canal, complete with gondola and bridge, sometime between 1880 and 1923. Look closely and you'll see the image is built from many tiny etched lines, a process which feels almost like drawing with light. The etched line is so delicate here, it's like Witsen is trying to capture a fleeting impression, a memory of Venice rather than a detailed portrait. The water shimmers, the architecture looms with a hushed grandeur. Notice how the darkness of the gondola contrasts with the light reflecting off the water. The eye is drawn into the reflections, and you can almost feel the gentle rocking of the boat. I see the influence of Whistler in Witsen's atmospheric approach and the way he embraces tonal subtlety. Both artists share a love for capturing the poetic essence of a place, finding beauty in the everyday and hinting at the stories that lie beneath the surface. Art isn't about answers, it's about asking questions.