Early 1914

This is "Early," an etching made by Anders Zorn. The hatching and cross-hatching marks that describe the figure are so expressive, almost like a shorthand for form, and for emotion too. I can really see how the process is the point. The whole composition shimmers with these marks, and there’s a beautiful contrast between the dense and the spare areas. Look at the lower half of the figure, and the lines on the floor – see how they converge, almost pushing her forward? There’s a real sense of immediacy, like we’re catching a glimpse of her. It reminds me of how Degas would position a figure in space, as if by accident. Zorn’s use of line is so assured. There's a real confidence in the gesture. Etchings like this, and there are many, many others in the history of art, remind me that art is a conversation, an ongoing experiment, and always open to interpretation.