‘The Tear that Falls’ 1974

Curator: Victor Pasmore, born in 1908, made this etching titled 'The Tear that Falls'. It's quite small, just under 40cm square. Editor: It feels like a Rorschach test, doesn't it? Somber, with a hint of something brewing beneath the surface. Curator: Absolutely. Pasmore's later work, especially, delves into abstract symbolism. Notice the two dark ovals—they could be moons, or perhaps eyes, looming over the scene. Editor: The line snaking between them feels almost umbilical, connecting contrasting emotional spheres. The "tear" itself is quite fragmented. Curator: Yes, and next to the shapes is a stanza of poetry, which meditates on sound. The tear implies suffering and beauty. Editor: It’s a kind of visual poem, a fusion of raw emotion, dreamlike imagery, and fragmented thought. Fascinating. Curator: For me, this small print packs an emotional punch far beyond its size.