Jonah and the Whale 1934

Editor: Here we have Alfonso Ossorio’s "Jonah and the Whale," a striking, graphic piece. The contrast between the black ink and the white paper is so intense. What compositional choices stand out to you? Curator: Note how the stark black and white areas articulate form, creating a dynamic tension across the image. The artist has employed a sophisticated understanding of positive and negative space. Observe, too, the rhythmic interplay of line and shape. Editor: Yes, I see that now. The lines create movement, almost a feeling of turbulence. It's quite effective. Curator: Indeed. Ossorio emphasizes the formal elements, inviting us to consider the intrinsic qualities of the artwork itself. The story is secondary to the shapes and lines. Do you agree? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered, focusing on the abstraction rather than the narrative. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. A close reading such as this allows us to appreciate the artist's deliberate manipulation of form.