Barco 

Curator: Here we have "Barco" by Wols, an engraving printed on paper. The image features two ships rendered with an astonishing network of fine lines. Editor: Chaotic. My immediate impression is…contained chaos. It’s almost feverish in its intensity, but within very defined boundaries. All those frantic lines somehow create the illusion of ships, rigging, even turbulent seas. Curator: Yes, "turbulent" is apt. Look closely, and you can see how the artist's chosen medium lends itself to this effect. The controlled pressure of the engraving tool on the metal plate allows for remarkable precision. These aren't haphazard scratches; they're deliberate marks accumulating to form shape and volume. It invites us to consider Wols's mastery of technique. Editor: I'm drawn to what the ships represent symbolically. Ships often stand for journeys, exploration, and even escape. Given the sheer volume of frantic activity going on in this picture, the journey depicted looks challenging at best! A more pessimistic interpretation could point to themes of being lost at sea, both physically and metaphorically. Curator: That connects strongly to the historical and political context in which this piece was created. Though undated, Wols produced many works during times of immense social upheaval. Reflecting on the act of engraving – a process demanding control and yet vulnerable to accidental slips – invites reflection on social power, artistic control, and even societal ‘engraving’ of norms onto individuals. Editor: True. Those tiny circular motifs interspersed throughout… do you see them? They remind me of archaic navigational symbols, adding another layer of historical depth. Perhaps they are crude compasses? Curator: Possibly, but consider what a compass means materially—constructed by labor from metal and glass for very practical aims. I find it fascinating how Wols renders familiar themes through radical formal techniques, blurring conventional notions of the image. Editor: Agreed. This is far more than a literal depiction. It embodies a feeling of instability, of something straining at its moorings. Thank you, Wols, for providing this glimpse into the collective unconscious. Curator: It seems there's always another layer to unpack. Each look gives way to more possibilities within a limited range of motion.