Michelangelo 1964

Thomas Browne Cornell made this portrait etching of Michelangelo in 1964, and you can really see him working through the lines, hatching and cross-hatching like a man possessed! Imagine him bent over the plate, his hand moving with the burin, almost as if he is channeling the great master himself. Those dark, intense eyes, that furrowed brow – it’s all about the intensity of creation. Look at how the lines build up, layer upon layer, to create form and shadow. It feels almost sculptural, doesn't it? Like Cornell is carving Michelangelo’s face out of the metal itself. You know, it makes you think about how artists are always looking back, drawing inspiration from the past while adding their own spin. It is an ongoing conversation across centuries, and each artist is just adding their voice to the mix.