Auntie Susie Reading 1910

Francis Dodd made this etching, Auntie Susie Reading, using fine, closely-placed lines to create tone and texture. I can imagine Dodd sitting close by, squinting his eyes as he tries to capture the scene before him. I'm betting he was trying to capture Auntie Susie in a moment of quiet repose, caught up in her book. He seems to be fascinated with the contrast between the soft folds of her clothing and the sharp lines of her face and hands. There’s an intimacy to the piece that makes me feel like I'm intruding on a private moment. The way Dodd uses line to create depth and shadow reminds me a little of Rembrandt. There's a sense of stillness in this image, but there's also a real sense of life. Artists learn from each other, echoing and revising. That’s what art’s all about: looking, feeling, and making.