Madonna of the Little Bird 1904

Timothy Cole made this image – Madonna of the Little Bird - using engraving techniques. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines. I imagine Cole hunched over a metal plate, carefully carving each line to capture light and shadow, almost like a meditative process. The Madonna holds the child, who reaches out to a bird, the whole scene softened by the delicate hatching. Engraving always makes me think about reproduction and the circulation of images, of how artworks reach wider audiences. Maybe Cole felt a connection to this tradition, seeing himself as part of a long line of artists translating paintings into prints. It’s kind of a humble job, right? Yet completely essential. I am constantly inspired by other artists; we build on each other’s work across centuries. In a way, art is one big conversation.