La fin de Montmartre 1905

Louis Morin made this etching called La fin de Montmartre, sometime during his lifetime. The lack of color sets a stage for a deep dive into value and texture, a dance of light and dark that feels both immediate and timeless. Looking closely, I notice the intricate network of lines that build up the image. They are not just descriptive; they’re expressive, full of movement. The sky, especially, has this turbulent energy, like the storm is about to break. You can almost feel the wind. The texture of the windmill is incredible, all those little hatch marks giving it a solid, almost gritty feel. Then there’s the contrast. The foreground is dark, almost brooding, while in the distance, there’s a glimmer of light suggesting possibility, or maybe just the inevitable march of time. It reminds me a little of Whistler, that same interest in capturing a mood. In the end, it’s all about how these elements come together to create a moment, a feeling, a question that lingers long after you’ve moved on.