Untitled (Figure) c. 1944

This etching, 'Untitled (Figure)' was made by Anne Ryan sometime in the mid-twentieth century. She's created a figure out of minimal, looping lines, and the process feels so immediate, like a thought captured in ink. The texture of the paper is really present; you can see how the ink subtly catches on the surface. The lines themselves aren't precious, they’re kind of wobbly and uneven, which gives the figure a real sense of movement and vulnerability. Look at the flower or rosette at the figure's chest. It's a simple shape, but it adds a focal point, a little burst of energy right at the heart of the composition. It reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, another artist who found so much in so little. Ultimately, Ryan's print invites us to find our own meaning, to participate in the act of seeing and feeling. It's a reminder that art is not about answers but about endless possibilities.