The Flowered Toque 1919

Augustus John created this etching, "The Flowered Toque," and it's all about the delicate dance between line and form. Imagine John, bent over the metal plate, carefully incising these lines—a network of tiny scratches building up this woman’s portrait. He has captured her, with the soft curls around her face, adorned with those beautiful, whimsical flowers. There's a real sense of intimacy, as if we're catching a glimpse of a private moment. I wonder if John knew her well, what was she thinking about when she posed? The beauty of an etching like this is its directness, you know? It's just the artist, the plate, and the needle, all working together to create this image. It’s a conversation between the artist and the medium, a kind of quiet collaboration. I love that.