Snow Fields 1924

Kerr Eby made this print called Snow Fields sometime in his career, using etching. It’s all about mark making here, the way the light catches on the snow with these tiny hatched lines. Look how Eby uses these delicate marks to describe the vastness of the landscape. You can almost feel the cold, crisp air, see the sun reflecting off the snow. It’s all so precise and controlled. Look at the way he builds up the tone with these tiny, tiny marks. The horizon line is a gentle, hazy stroke. What's amazing is how he creates such a sense of depth and atmosphere with such simple means. There's something about the way he captures the stillness and quiet of a winter landscape. He reminds me a little of Agnes Martin in his devotion to line and tone. Both artists find a kind of emotional resonance in these very simple, spare gestures. It's kind of poetic, don't you think?