Cats 1920

Lovis Corinth made this etching, simply titled 'Cats', sometime in the early 20th century. I love the scribbled energy, the scratchy lines suggesting fur and form, and the light, airy feel. It’s almost as if he captured these cats in a fleeting moment, a quick impression dashed off with incredible skill. You know, sometimes I think about how much trust goes into making a print. The artist has to trust the acids or whatever will bite the plate and make this image appear later. I imagine Corinth watching these cats, maybe they were his own pets, and trying to distill their essence into a few simple strokes. There’s something so immediate and intimate about the work. This reminds me a bit of some drawings by Manet. Artists are always looking at each other. It’s like a big conversation across time and space, each one adding their voice to the mix. It's also amazing how the simplest gestures can convey so much.