A Poet [Un poeta] 1941

Luigi Bartolini made this etching, "A Poet", and like a lot of prints, it's undated. The whole thing has a nervous energy, right? It’s all scratches and scribbles, these tiny little marks creating a whole world. I love how the textures build up, like the wood grain of the pier. It's not just about what you see, but also how it feels to make something like this. The way the light hits the water is particularly good. See how he used these tight, wiggly lines to create a sense of movement? It almost feels like the water is alive, reflecting the sky and the trees. It's like he's trying to capture the essence of a fleeting moment. I see a bit of Whistler in Bartolini’s approach to etching, but with a more modern, anxious edge. Art is this ongoing conversation, you know? It’s never really about answering questions, but asking them in new and interesting ways.