Butts 1931

Irwin D. Hoffman made this etching, titled "Butts," in 1931. The cross-hatched lines, like a swarm of bees, build the darks and lights. It’s a study in black and white, but Hoffman coaxes a whole world of grays out of it. Look how the lines thicken and tangle to describe the figures' clothes. And then, see how they thin out, almost vibrating, in the space between the two men. You can almost feel the smoke and the warm glow of their shared cigarette. It’s a powerful contrast, like a spotlight shining on a fleeting moment of connection. There's something about the rawness of the etching, the way the lines are scratched into the plate, that makes the scene feel immediate and alive. It reminds me of Kathe Kollwitz, another artist who knew how to use black and white to tell stories about real people and everyday life. In the end, it’s not just about butts, it’s about what happens between people, the small gestures that make up a life.