Brug over een rivier 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this evocative woodcut of a bridge over a river, printed in black ink on paper. It’s all about the push and pull between light and dark, the positive and negative shapes creating a dynamic sense of depth. Look at the curves of the river as it flows under the bridge - aren't they gorgeous? The simple lines suggest movement and reflection so economically. You can almost feel the cool air coming off the water, can’t you? The high contrast creates a moody atmosphere, like a scene from a silent film. I’m reminded of other printmakers like Félix Vallotton, who also used stark black and white to explore shadow and form. Art is always echoing itself. What do you see when you look at it?