Madonna and Child 1914

This image of the Madonna and Child was made by Timothy Cole; it's a small image, only 7 x 5 inches. Look closely at the soft gradations of tone. There is a quiet quality to the piece that relies on subtle shifts from dark to light, like a memory fading in and out of focus. The texture here is all about the paper itself; the artist coaxes depth and form through controlled mark-making. Notice the kneeling figure on the right, bent in what could be contemplation or grief. There's a delicate balance between detail and suggestion, between the visible and the unseen. The fine lines create shadows that both conceal and reveal, adding a sense of emotional depth. The whole scene feels like it's lit from within. It reminds me of other graphic artists like Käthe Kollwitz, who wrestled with similar themes of motherhood and sorrow. But what sets this piece apart is its ability to find a kind of beauty in the midst of it all.