Game of Boule 1931

José Pavón made this print, Game of Boule, in 1931, and it’s all about how simple marks can create a whole world. The cool thing about printmaking is you can really see the process; here, Pavón uses these tight, controlled lines, almost like he’s knitting the scene together. It's all in grayscale, but it's not dull at all. The textures he gets from hatching and cross-hatching, especially in the trees and the ground, give everything a tactile feel. Look closely, and you’ll see how the light plays across the figures, making some stand out while others blend into the background. It’s almost like a stage set, with everyone frozen in place. It makes me think of other artists who used printmaking to capture everyday life, like Honoré Daumier, but Pavón has his own distinct voice. It's a reminder that art isn't just about what you see, but how you see it.