Spring Song 1930

Dorothy Lathrop made this print, Spring Song, using hatching and stippling to build up tone. It gives the impression of a process; the image slowly emerging, built mark by mark. I really enjoy the way Lathrop handled the contrast between the sharp lines of the flora and the softer forms of the frogs. Each mark is carefully considered, creating a rich tapestry of textures, the surface is almost alive! Look at the dark dots, they give a wonderful sense of depth and atmosphere, like a whole miniature cosmos is contained within the image. The emerging ferns almost look like otherworldly creatures, and the composition as a whole evokes a sense of wonder, reminding me a bit of the prints of Odilon Redon. But it is the playful ambiguity that really sticks with me. Lathrop invites us to bring our own readings and associations to the table, to embrace the uncertainty.