Lady With a Dog at Her Feet 1915

This print of a lady with a dog at her feet was made by Timothy Cole using wood engraving. It’s all about subtle gradations, isn’t it? The process here is key. Look at the way he coaxes form out of the wood, building up these almost photographic tones. The material aspect of this work is all about light and shadow. There is a real contrast between the dark, almost velvety blacks of the dog and the background, versus the luminous highlights on the woman’s dress. The dog's dark, solid form is really interesting, kind of like a counterpoint to the woman’s flowing dress. It’s a simple shape, but it anchors the composition and adds a touch of domesticity. Cole’s work reminds me a little of Whistler, actually. They both have this way of capturing a mood or an atmosphere with just a few carefully placed lines. It's all about suggestion and implication, rather than spelling everything out. You know, art’s always a conversation, right?