John Hay 1904

Anders Zorn made this etching of John Hay, using closely worked lines to build up the image. It's so process-oriented, you can see the thinking behind the making. I find the cross-hatching that creates the shadowy background behind Hay particularly interesting. Look at how the lines are thicker and more densely packed together, it almost feels like it's pressing forward. The overall effect gives the whole portrait a sense of depth and a kind of brooding thoughtfulness. The texture gives the piece a tactile quality, like you could feel the weight of history and character etched into the plate. Zorn reminds me a little of Whistler, but where Whistler is all mood, Zorn feels more grounded. Both artists are part of this extended conversation about how we see and represent the world, each with their own distinct voice. Art is never about one single story, it's more like a chorus of voices, each adding its own unique note.