Europa 1942

Hugh Mesibov made this print, Europa, using black ink on paper. The composition is all about contrasts: light versus dark, rough versus smooth, chaos versus order. Look at how Mesibov uses these stark black marks to create texture. It’s like he’s carving out the image from a dark abyss, each line and shape defining form and space. The face is a jumble of planes, a fractured mask. This reminds me of Picasso, but with a grittier, more urgent feel. The chaotic lines above the head could suggest a crown of thorns, a halo of suffering, or simply the harsh realities of the world closing in. The physical act of carving the block and printing the image is palpable, giving the print a raw emotional power. Art is a conversation across time, and Mesibov's Europa speaks of pain, but also of resilience.