Self-Portrait 1904 no. 1 1904

This is Anders Zorn's self-portrait from 1904, made with etching on paper. The marks are so dense, like a woven fabric of tiny lines. You can tell Zorn knew what he was doing, really confident. Look closely and you'll see how the cross-hatching gives depth and form. The lines aren’t just lines; they're little canyons, catching light and shadow. See how the face emerges from this sea of ink, like a figure in a dream. Zorn really lets you in on his process, doesn’t he? There’s a tactile quality to it. It reminds me of some of Rembrandt’s etchings, that same love of darkness and light, and an honesty that feels so modern. I think art is just an ongoing conversation, artists responding to artists across time, each adding their own little piece to the puzzle. It’s never really finished, is it?