Girl Reading 1909

Pekka Halonen created this quiet, contemplative image of a girl reading using etching in 1902. Imagine the artist bent over the plate, using fine needles to cut through the wax ground. I wonder what Halonen was thinking, capturing this moment of private absorption? The scratchy lines build up a delicate, grey world, a sanctuary for both the girl and, perhaps, the artist. Look at the hatching that defines the folds of her dress, a flurry of marks creating volume and shadow. It reminds me of Kathe Kollwitz, with its tender yet unsentimental depiction of everyday life. There's a real sense of intimacy here, a connection between the artist, the subject, and us, the viewers. This image feels like a whisper, inviting us to share in the quiet joy of reading and art making. It’s a reminder that artists are constantly responding to one another, carrying on a visual conversation across time.