Lone-End 1930

This is 'Lone-End', an etching by F.L. Griggs, made sometime in the early 20th century. Look at the way Griggs has constructed the image from a mass of tiny, precise marks. It's an additive process, building the image dot by dot, line by line. The physical qualities of the etching are crucial here. See how the density of marks creates areas of light and shadow. The hatching on the buildings and the trees gives a sense of texture, of weathered stone and dense foliage. And notice how the sky is almost empty, just a scattering of marks suggesting the movement of birds. It’s so minimal. I am drawn to the area in the bottom left corner, where the land seems to rise up to meet the buildings. This little hillock, so carefully rendered, anchors the whole composition, lending it a sense of solidity. Griggs reminds me a little of Samuel Palmer, another British artist who found inspiration in the rural landscape. Both artists share a sense of melancholy, a feeling of nostalgia for a disappearing way of life. But of course, art is never just about one thing. It's a conversation, an exchange of ideas, a dialogue between the artist and the viewer, and between artists across time.