The Pines 1935 - 1943

Mortimer Borne made this etching, called *The Pines*, sometime in the 20th century. Look at how the ink scratches across the plate like tangled threads; the lines are densely packed but broken, breathing with a life of their own. You can see the artist thinking, adjusting, through the marks left on the plate. Borne's etching is like a dance between control and chaos. The lines build up to create shadows and depth, pulling you into the scene. Notice the road in the foreground, how it curves and bends, inviting you to follow its path. It reminds me of a forest path. This print has a scrappy quality, calling to mind artists like Whistler or even the Ashcan school. It feels unfinished, alive with potential, revealing art as a process of constant exploration.