Meerval 1878 - 1944

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita made this print of a catfish, or 'Meerval', on a metal plate, though it's impossible to know exactly when. The metal surface is fascinating; it has these shimmering, iridescent hues, like a slick of oil on water, achieved by some kind of chemical or heat treatment. This reminds me that making art is a process of transformation, where materials are coaxed and altered to create something new. The catfish itself is rendered in simple, elegant lines, almost like a child's drawing. Look at the way the artist captures the essence of the fish with just a few strokes; its whiskers trailing, its fins gently curved. There’s an informality to the marks, but then, there's the precision of the engraved lines, creating a tension between spontaneity and control. It's like Mesquita is saying, "Here's a fish, but also, here's the joy of making." This piece reminds me of other artists who embrace the raw, elemental qualities of their materials, like Cy Twombly, whose scribbled marks feel both ancient and utterly modern. Art is an ongoing conversation, a dance between intention and accident, where meaning emerges through the process itself.