Mrs. Glengowan and Daughter 1919

This is Timothy Cole’s engraving of Mrs. Glengowan and Daughter, made with a burin on paper. It's amazing how much Cole achieves here, using only tiny, precise marks. The texture he creates is almost velvety, especially in the way he models the drapery around Mrs. Glengowan. Look closely at the way he builds up the shadows with these intricate lines – it’s almost like he's knitting with ink! The process feels very deliberate, each mark considered and placed with intention, but the overall effect is surprisingly soft and warm. I’m also really drawn to the way he captures the relationship between the mother and daughter, there's a real sense of intimacy in their pose. Cole reminds me a little of Vija Celmins, another artist obsessed with detail, but in a totally different way. Both are such masters of their chosen media, and show the depth and beauty that can emerge from focused looking and considered mark-making.