Woman Gathering Sticks 1906

Augustus John made this etching of a woman gathering sticks using only line, and it's incredible how much information and atmosphere he manages to convey with so little. I'm struck by the textural quality that he achieves with simple hatching and cross-hatching, particularly in the figure's skirt. Look at how the lines vary in weight and direction, suggesting not only the folds of the fabric, but also the light as it falls across the surface. It almost feels like you could reach out and touch the rough texture of the cloth. It also gives you a great sense of the effort she's putting in as she pulls her haul towards home. Think of other artists like Käthe Kollwitz who also use line in their prints and drawings to create a kind of social commentary through sensitive observation. Ultimately, this print feels like an ongoing conversation about life, labor, and survival through art.