Two Girls, in Profile, One Carrying a Jug 

Editor: This is John Hamilton Mortimer's "Two Girls, in Profile, One Carrying a Jug," housed in the Tate. It's a pen and ink drawing. I find the composition striking, especially how the figures overlap. What do you see in the linear structure of the drawing? Curator: The cross-hatching technique employed to delineate form creates a delicate interplay of light and shadow. Observe how the artist uses line weight to suggest volume, particularly in the folds of the drapery and the curves of the jug. The stark contrast emphasizes a sense of depth. Editor: So, it's the execution of the line itself, the variance and technique, which construct the image’s depth? Curator: Precisely. Note how the direction and density of the lines contribute to the overall texture and visual weight, guiding the viewer's eye through the composition. Editor: I see it now, the density creates depth. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, and through careful observation, the essence of the work begins to reveal itself.