Salome 1944

Kurt Roesch made this print, Salome, using an etching technique. The layering of marks creates an image that feels both ethereal and grounded, like a memory surfacing. I love how the composition builds up through linear hatching and cross-hatching. The lines aren't just descriptive; they carve out space, and create a feeling of movement. Look at the way he uses line to define the figures. Some lines are bold and certain, while others are faint and ghostly. In the main figure, you can see how Roesch’s marks define the form but also seem to dissolve it. Prints are all about process and Roesch is an expert at using his mark making to create complex form. This piece reminds me of Picasso's forays into printmaking, the way he too, used etching to explore the emotional dimensions of his subjects. What do you see?