Rose 1984

Jim Dine made this Rose print using etching on a plate sometime in his career, and what strikes me is how he lets the process show. It's all about the attitude in the mark-making. The velvety blacks and scratchy greys were created by biting into a metal plate with acid. I can imagine Dine drawing into the plate with a sharp tool, maybe even using his fingers to rub the ink in. Look at the way the lines create these deep shadows, giving the roses a real sense of volume and texture. The petals aren't just pretty shapes; they feel like they're unfolding right before your eyes. Take a look at the lower left, there's a nest of marks, almost scribbled, but they give the image a kind of raw energy. It reminds me of some of Cy Twombly's flower drawings, but with a bit more weight and darkness. With Dine, it's like he's saying, "Here's a rose, but it's also about the act of making itself." It's this push and pull that makes it so alive.