Artist's Father 1924

This artwork is called Artist's Father, and it was etched by Nathaniel Sparks, we think in 1924. I'm drawn to the way the figure emerges from the dense network of lines, as if the artist is uncovering a hidden memory. Sparks uses etching to create subtle tonal shifts, building form through intricate patterns, a bit like Seurat's pointillism. I imagine him, bent over the plate, scratching away with his needle, thinking about his father, each line a tender exploration of his father's face. The man is holding a violin, maybe he was a musician. Perhaps Sparks is also thinking about the relationship between art, music, and family. It reminds me of Lucian Freud's portraits, in how they capture the raw intensity of human presence. Ultimately, it's a beautiful meditation on the passage of time, on memory, and on the enduring power of art to connect us to those who came before.