Drought c. 1935 - 1943

Paul Kucharyson made this intaglio print called Drought, using etching and engraving to construct the image. The house, rendered in stark lines, feels both solid and fragile. It's a testament to a life lived close to the land. Looking at this piece, I'm struck by the way Kucharyson uses line to create texture. It's almost like he's mapping the landscape, each stroke a tiny furrow in the earth. The windmill, slightly tilted, is a poignant detail. It speaks of struggle, of resilience in the face of hardship. The bare tree in the foreground is another powerful symbol, its branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. This print reminds me a bit of the work of someone like Agnes Martin, in the sense that both artists use a limited palette and a restrained approach to create works that are both simple and profound. Ultimately, Drought is a quiet meditation on the relationship between humanity and nature. It's a reminder that we are all connected to the land.