Gebouw in de Binckhorst in Den Haag 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching, Gebouw in de Binckhorst in Den Haag, with ink on paper. Look at how Grondhout approaches mark-making, all those etched lines and cross-hatching to create a landscape of buildings, trees, and water. It’s like he’s feeling his way through the scene, letting the process of etching guide him. There's a real focus on texture, with the lines building up to create depth and shadow. The dark, dense area in the foreground is balanced by the lighter, more open sky. It’s all about the physicality of the medium, and how Grondhout uses it to create a sense of place. That cluster of lines near the center, reflecting light on the water, becomes a focal point, drawing our eye and giving the whole composition a sense of movement and flow. This piece reminds me a little of Whistler's etchings, particularly in its moody atmosphere and attention to detail. Like Whistler, Grondhout embraces ambiguity.