Untitled (In the Backyard) c. 1930s

This etching, "Untitled (In the Backyard)," was made by George Hand Wright, and it's a real masterclass in mark-making. Look at how Wright uses these tiny little lines to create a whole world. It feels almost like he’s feeling his way through the scene. The beauty of an etching like this lies in its texture, you know? It’s all about the surface, the way the ink sits on the paper. I love the way he renders the trees, almost scribbling them in. And then, these dark, dense areas that feel heavy and full of shadow. There is a figure in the foreground, a man wearing a hat, look at the fine lines used to depict the brim of his hat, but then the broad, dark strokes of his jacket. Wright's got this beautiful push-pull, a constant negotiation between what’s revealed and what’s hidden. It reminds me a little of James Ensor's etchings, with their similar embrace of light and shadow. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Hey, seeing is never just about looking. It’s about feeling, too.’