Belfry Steps 1935

Robert Austin made this etching, Belfry Steps, probably in 1935, using fine lines and an understated palette, like a whisper of light and shadow. It’s all about process. The surface has a velvety texture, the result of the etching process, and the fine lines create depth and volume. Those stairs, spiraling downward, remind me of Piranesi's architectural fantasies, or maybe Escher’s impossible constructions. But it’s the woman, caught in this architectural labyrinth, that holds the eye. Her expression is so intriguing. Is she lost, or is she determined? Looking at the detail of the woman’s hand on the wall. There’s such a tenderness in the way Austin renders it, suggesting vulnerability amidst the imposing architecture. It reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, another master of etching, who explored themes of human suffering and resilience in her work. Ultimately, Austin's etching is less about answers and more about inviting us to wander through its intricate layers of meaning.