Untitled (The Old Red Barn) c. 1933 - 1934

This untitled print of an old barn was made by James Irza Arnold, though I don't know when exactly, but let’s just imagine him outside, bundled up against the cold, squinting in the sun. Arnold has etched the old barn with such care and attention, hasn't he? Like he knows every nook and cranny, every weathered plank of wood. There's a real sense of depth here, created by all those tiny marks, building up shadows and textures. The tree feels like it’s embracing the barn, offering it protection from the elements. It makes me think of other artists who were drawn to the beauty of everyday life, like Edward Hopper for instance, though Hopper’s paintings are generally moodier. You get the feeling that Arnold was trying to capture something more than just the way the barn looks, maybe it’s about the feeling of a place. After all, artists are always talking to each other, across time and space, picking up on each other's ideas and running with them.