Fiskerbåde 1907

Carl Locher made this etching, Fiskerbåde, with ink on paper sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Look at the way the strokes build up the image, like the marks are breathing life into the scene, bit by bit. The whole composition is about the interplay of light and shadow, isn’t it? See how Locher uses delicate lines to create a sense of movement in the water? The waves aren't just static; they're alive, almost like tiny brushstrokes dancing across the surface. Notice the sails, filled with air. The artist uses a kind of shorthand to conjure the wind itself. I’m drawn to the way Locher lets the clouds bleed into the sky, smudging the line between what’s solid and what’s not. I'm reminded of Whistler, with his moody nocturnes, or maybe even some of the Japanese printmakers, playing with atmosphere and mood. It’s like Locher is inviting us to get lost in the feeling of the moment.