Larin Paraske with Kantele 1943

Albert Edelfelt made this etching of Larin Paraske with Kantele, and what strikes me is the way he coaxes a full image out of a seemingly limited palette. Look at the network of lines that build up the shadows, especially around the face and hands. Each mark feels deliberate, yet together they create a sense of depth, a sort of quiet drama. It's like a drawing, but with this added textural dimension – the ink pressed into the paper, creating a surface that invites you to get close. The lines that define the Kantele, the traditional Finnish instrument, seem to echo the lines of her face, mapping a kind of history and feeling. This reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz's prints, where every line seems to carry the weight of emotion. It's a reminder that art-making isn't just about representation; it's about feeling, about conveying a human presence.