David Lloyd George 1922

Walter Tittle made this portrait of David Lloyd George in monochrome with rapid strokes that build form out of a network of delicate lines. I think about the artist with his plate, how the needle moved, following the lines of Lloyd George’s face. Maybe he was trying to capture something of his character, a mood that defines the person. The plate allows a quick method for making multiple images. There is a sense of capturing the likeness of the politician, but also an immediacy that feels like a drawing. Look at the quick strokes, and the way that Tittle leaves gaps in the shadows. It’s not necessarily about photographic accuracy, but about expression. I suppose it feels like a conversation between artists across time. Each one learning from those who came before, responding and questioning and pushing the boundaries of what art can be. It's a reminder that art embraces ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations.