Rythme 1926

Paul Kaplan made "Rythme" in 1926, it's an etching. The artist's approach to mark-making here reminds me of automatic drawing, letting the hand move freely, almost unconsciously, to create a network of lines. The lines are dark against the off-white of the paper, creating a stark contrast. The texture is smooth, and you can almost feel the slight give of the etching needle on the metal plate. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and pressure, suggesting different speeds and rhythms. There's one short, almost nervous stroke that seems to anchor the whole composition. This piece puts me in mind of the work of someone like Agnes Martin, where simple forms and lines are imbued with a sense of meditative calm. This piece embraces ambiguity and invites us to find our own rhythm within its lines.