Fish Market 1933

Will Barnet made this print of a fish market in 1933. Look at how he’s used these gorgeous, dark smudges of charcoal to describe the figures. I imagine Barnet standing in that bustling market, feeling the energy of the crowd, rapidly capturing these characters with velvety strokes. The composition is striking, isn’t it? It has a cinematic quality, like a still from a black and white movie. I picture Barnet carefully building up layers of charcoal dust, each stroke defining the form and texture of the fish, the clothing, and the faces. There's a somber mood to the work, a realism that feels very true to life. When I look at this, I’m reminded of Kollwitz, maybe some Goya too – artists who knew how to capture the weight and weariness of everyday existence. You can see how artists riff off one another across time, in an ongoing conversation. It’s a beautiful thing.