Classic Ruins II 1963

Rudy Pozzatti made this print, Classic Ruins II, using lithography in black and white. Looking at this piece, I’m reminded of how artmaking is like a conversation, marks responding to previous marks, creating something new from something old. The texture here is remarkable, especially considering it’s a print. There’s a real sense of depth and physicality. The way Pozzatti uses the lithographic crayon, it’s almost sculptural. See that dark archway there? The lines aren’t just lines; they have weight, a kind of crumbling presence. And then there are the lighter areas, almost like ghosts of forms, giving the whole thing a sense of history and decay. This reminds me of Piranesi and his etchings of Rome, but looser, more personal. It’s like Pozzatti isn’t just depicting ruins, he's also showing us the ruin of representation itself, which is something I think about a lot in my own work. It's never just about what you see, but how you see it, and what it makes you feel.