Still Hollow 1936

Kerr Eby made "Still Hollow" as an etching, and right away you can tell he's super into the nitty-gritty of mark-making. The whole scene is rendered in this intricate network of lines, like a million tiny scratches building up this snowy landscape. The way he layers those lines to create depth and shadow is really something, it gives the scene a kind of tactile quality. Look closely at the rooftops; you can almost feel the weight of the snow, and the stark contrast with the bare trees adds a stark kind of beauty. It reminds me a little of Whistler, who was also a printmaker. But where Whistler goes for atmosphere, Eby seems more interested in structure, in really mapping out the space. Ultimately, it’s all about how artists see the world, and how they translate that vision into something we can all experience.