Grave-yard Dirt c. 1935 - 1943

Frank Reichmann made this print, Grave-yard Dirt, using dark monochromatic inks. The artist uses dry brush marks and layered strokes to evoke atmosphere. I imagine him in his studio, hunched over a plate, scratching away to make this image come to life. You can sense the pressure of the artist’s hand, digging and pressing into the surface. I’m thinking about that title, and wondering, what was he thinking when he chose it? Was he contemplating life, death, or something in between? I’m drawn to the way the birds are almost menacing, looking down at this poor figure below. Maybe the artist was feeling trapped or oppressed, and turned to art to express it. Reichmann’s print reminds me of Goya’s etchings, in the way they both capture dark and difficult emotions with such intensity. Artists keep the conversation going, across time. They borrow, steal, and riff off each other's ideas. This is what makes art so interesting, because it always keeps evolving.