News Roundup c. 1950

Robert Joseph Massey created this etching called "News Roundup," but we don't know exactly when. Look at the wonderful cross-hatching, where the lines overlap and intersect, creating darker tones. I can just imagine Massey inking up the plate, carefully wiping away excess ink, and then running it through the press. Did he think the news was good, bad, or just plain boring? The way the light streams through the window, casting shadows, gives it a sense of quiet contemplation. It reminds me of Edward Hopper's paintings, where there's this sense of stillness and isolation, like everyone's caught in their own little world. Massey's mark-making feels incredibly thoughtful and precise. Each line adds to the overall mood. Etching is like a conversation between the artist, the plate, and the acid, a testament to the enduring power of printmaking, and the way artists continue to find new ways to express themselves through traditional techniques.