Weathervane c. 1944

Perle Fine made this etching, "Weathervane," and you can see how she built up the image through layers of lines and tones. I imagine Perle Fine in her studio, carefully scratching lines into the plate, checking, re-etching, and proofing. The result feels both precise and intuitive. The composition is airy and the lines, like delicate threads, create a sense of depth. The forms are abstract, yet the title hints at a connection to the natural world. The etching feels open, like a question, prompting me to look closely and consider its subtleties. Fine’s playfulness with line and form reminds me of other mid-century abstractionists who were exploring similar terrain. Artists are always looking, sharing, and responding to one another. As viewers, we can appreciate how they expand our vision of what art can be.