Street in Assisi 1935

Ernest Roth created "Street in Assisi" using etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. It’s like a dance of control and chance, something every artist knows! Look closely, and you'll see how the lines create depth, light, and texture. The density of marks that create the shadows contrast with the relative emptiness where light hits the walls. I'm drawn to the building on the right, it feels solid and precarious at the same time. It has a balcony, almost theatrical, like a stage for everyday life. The little tower in the background could be from a stage set. Roth has echoes of Piranesi, who created similarly immersive cityscapes using the same etching process. Ultimately, art isn’t about perfect answers, but about embracing ambiguity and relishing the journey of seeing.