Op een stok leunende oude vrouw in een deuropening before 1909

This etching of an old woman leaning on a stick in a doorway was made by Mary Hector Rupert Cantineau, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. It's all about the lines, isn't it? They create the values and define the shapes in a really direct, immediate way. Look at the way the lines vary in thickness and direction. See how they build up the shadows on the woman's face and clothing, and how they give a sense of depth to the doorway. These lines create this amazing texture. The texture almost feels like you could reach out and touch it. It's not just about what the image represents, but how it feels to look at it. The way the artist uses line to create this sense of depth and shadow reminds me of the etchings of Whistler or some of Käthe Kollwitz's prints. All of these artists embrace the possibilities of a repeated mark to create an emotional resonance.