Cephalus and Aurora (3) 1998

Editor: Here we have Leon Kossoff’s "Cephalus and Aurora (3)," an etching. The frenetic lines give the scene a sense of urgency. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: Note the artist's strategic use of line to define form and space. The density of the lines creates a textural richness, almost obscuring the figures, while the lighter areas suggest depth. What do you make of this interplay? Editor: It feels like the figures are emerging from chaos, or perhaps dissolving back into it. Is this typical of Kossoff’s style? Curator: Kossoff often employed a restless line and built up surfaces. Here, observe how the linear structure conveys both the physicality and the emotional intensity of the scene. It invites a complex viewing, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I see what you mean. It's more than just a depiction; it’s about the act of seeing itself. Curator: Precisely. And in that process, a new understanding of this classical subject emerges.