Encounter 1940 - 1941

Isabel Bishop made this print, it's called 'Encounter', using etching, and it's a scene of two figures talking on the street. There's something so immediate about the etched line, Bishop’s commitment to the process is laid bare for us, and it mirrors the very human act of meeting and communicating in the city. There are many tiny marks and areas of cross-hatching, see how she builds up the figures from lots of tiny lines? It gives the whole thing a sense of movement. The ink isn't just sitting on the surface, it feels like it's dug in there, creating a real sense of depth and texture. I love how the gestures of the figures are so expressive even though the line is so minimal. It reminds me of some of Edward Hopper's paintings, but with a more intimate, less lonely feel. It's like we're catching a glimpse of a private moment in public space. Art isn't about answers, it's about opening up possibilities, and this print does that beautifully.