The Librarian 1930

Martin Petersen created this etching of ‘The Librarian’ sometime around 1930. I love the way the whole scene emerges from a dense network of lines, cross-hatching into darker shades. It’s interesting to imagine Petersen, bent over the plate, scratching away with his etching needle. I wonder what he was thinking about? Was it a portrait of someone he knew? Or perhaps a character from a book he loved? Look at the way he captures the weight of the books, stacked high on the shelves and piled on the table. Each one seems to have its own story to tell. The librarian himself seems kind of pleased to be surrounded by all this knowledge. This piece reminds me of other artists who have explored the theme of books and libraries, like Gustave Courbet. There’s a sense of connection to a longer tradition. Ultimately, art is just one big conversation! Each artist brings their own perspective, their own way of seeing, and the conversation continues.