Untitled, No. 1 c. 1930

Virginia Berresford made this black and white print, Untitled, No. 1, using pencil or charcoal. The grainy texture of the marks gives the house and stairs a ghostly appearance. I think Berresford was likely standing across the street, carefully observing the scene, before committing to a particular composition. I imagine she was thinking about the geometric relationships between shapes. The simple rectangular forms of the buildings are softened by the addition of the staircase. Notice how the steps lead you up and into the picture. The house almost looks like an Escher drawing or a stage set, with the steps offering a grand entrance. I can almost see performers coming down those stairs. Berresford reminds me of other artists who found inspiration in everyday subjects, like Edward Hopper. There's an ongoing conversation between artists across time, inspiring each other. I'm grateful to be a part of that conversation.