Vendanges 1929 - 1932

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac made "Vendanges" using etching, and what strikes me is how he captures a sense of constant movement through a network of fine lines. Look at how the marks form a landscape and figures from what is ostensibly a simple process. There’s a real energy here. The etching feels immediate, like Segonzac is sketching directly from life. The ground swells with scratchy lines, while the figures are captured in quick, confident strokes. Notice the harvesters: each captured with only a few lines yet still conveying weight. The way the figures in the scene are layered gives a sense of depth despite the absence of color or shading. The whole thing feels alive, like a snapshot of a bustling scene rather than a posed portrait. Think of other artists like Picasso who used line to create simplified, expressive forms. Segonzac shares their desire to cut away the excess and get to the essence of what he’s seeing. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.