Fantasie: diverse figuren, de tweede van links een vrouw met gespikkeld gelaat in profiel naar rechts 1920

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita made this fantasy scene, 'Diverse Figuren', with etching. The varying densities of the etched lines create a kind of shadow play, a push and pull between light and dark. It’s as if the artist is building up the image through a process of layering. The material qualities of the print are striking. The roughness of the etching gives the image a tactile feel, like you could reach out and touch the figures. Look closely at the woman's face in profile. See how the speckled texture gives her a sense of depth, a kind of mysterious presence. It’s as if each mark contributes to the overall mood. You know, this print reminds me a little of the work of Edvard Munch, particularly in its use of expressive lines and its exploration of the human condition. I think that the conversation between artists across time is pretty magical. In art there aren’t really any easy answers, just more and more questions.