Surf 1902

Karl Nordström made this picture of Surf with etching on paper. I find myself thinking about process when I look at the surface, the way the image seems built from thousands of tiny marks all moving in different directions. The texture is so rich, almost like fabric. The light catches on the surface, making the waves shimmer and the sky feel heavy with moisture. I wonder about the tools Nordström used, maybe something sharp to create those fine lines? It’s like he’s trying to capture not just the look of the sea, but the feeling of being there, the sound of the waves crashing, the wind in your face. Look at the way the waves curl and break in the foreground. It’s so gestural, so full of energy, but also controlled and deliberate. Nordström was part of a generation of artists who were really pushing the boundaries of what painting could be, I feel that in this piece. It's about looking and feeling, and trying to find a way to translate that onto the page.