Aphrodite Bathing Possibly 1970

Ann Brunskill made "Aphrodite Bathing" – though we don’t know exactly when. It’s an etching, so think about the controlled, yet still intuitive, process of incising lines into a plate. There’s something cool and shadowy about this piece. The monochromatic blues and blacks give it a nocturnal, mysterious feel. I love how the textures are built up through tiny etched lines, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The figure of Aphrodite is really interesting, her silhouette both strong and vulnerable. Brunskill probably thought a lot about this figure. It makes me think about Paula Rego and her own explorations of female archetypes through printmaking, as well as a more contemporary artist like Julie Mehretu who uses etching to map the complexities of space and history. Ultimately, Brunskill is in this long, ongoing conversation with other artists. This etching embodies a quiet, intimate moment, inviting us to contemplate the many layers of identity, myth, and representation.