Is it really getting on his nerves 1917

Charles Dana Gibson made "Is it really getting on his nerves" using ink, with a remarkable economy of line, where so much of the feeling comes from the barest of marks. Just look at how Gibson captures Uncle Sam – that iconic figure of American identity – in this charged scene. The dry, scratchy lines that define his form convey a sense of weariness. And the contrast between the solid, dark strokes of his coat and the open, airy marks around him creates a tension, a kind of visual unrest, in keeping with the scene depicted in the background. See the way Gibson uses a flurry of marks to conjure the smoke rising from the graves. This is not just smoke; it’s a cloud of dread, sketched with a nervous energy that mirrors the unease of the moment. The way these marks accumulate, they build a world, a feeling, a question. It reminds me of Goya's prints, where a few lines can carry the weight of an entire era. It’s a reminder that art isn't about answers; it’s about opening up a space for asking, for feeling, for seeing the world in new ways.