Studiefigur: Gammel skægget mand i orientalsk dragt 1907

This small study of an old, bearded man in oriental dress was made by Frans Schwartz, at an unknown date, using etching. What I love about Schwartz’s approach is his commitment to the power of the line, the controlled chaos of it. See how he uses these etched marks to define the form of the man, his flowing beard, the soft folds of his dress. It's all about the texture created by the varying densities of lines, sometimes close and dark, then opening up to let light flood in, like on his knee. It's a dance of light and shadow, achieved through simple means. Look at the way he describes the background with the same marks used to depict his figure, it’s almost as if his very being is emanating from the page. It reminds me of the etchings of Whistler, that same love of tone, though Schwartz has a rougher edge, a more direct approach. This piece is more than just a study, it’s a conversation between the artist and his subject, rendered in ink and metal.