Tea Leaf Reading c. 1938

Joseph Vogel made this print, Tea Leaf Reading, at an unknown date, with stark lines and shapes that invite you into a world of mystery. There's a real push and pull between the dark and light, the way he carves out the figures, almost like they're emerging from the shadows. The texture is amazing, like you can feel the scratch of the tool as it meets the surface. I love the way he uses the lines to create depth and movement. Take the hand on the left, for instance, each line seems to vibrate with energy. Vogel reminds me of artists like Max Beckmann, who also used bold, graphic styles to capture the human condition. Ultimately, this piece is not about fixed answers, but about the possibility of multiple readings and interpretations.