Gezicht op de Seine in Parijs 1888 - 1934

This is Willem Adrianus Grondhout’s ‘View of the Seine in Paris’, an etching, made at an unknown date. I wonder if it was made on site, or back in the studio? Looking at the thinness of the lines, I imagine the artist carefully layering each stroke. Each mark contributes to the overall composition, slowly building up the scene. It's as if Grondhout is trying to capture not just what he sees, but also the feeling of being there, by the Seine, watching the river flow. I love how the artist uses a light touch to create depth. See how the buildings in the background fade into the distance, while the crane in the foreground is sharply defined? It’s a testament to the power of suggestion, to the idea that less can be more. The piece reminds me of Whistler's etchings of the Thames. It speaks to the idea that artists are always in dialogue with one another, building on the ideas of those who came before, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.