L'inverno: Hommage á Morandi 1966

Moishe Smith made this etching, "L'inverno: Hommage á Morandi," and it's all about mark-making as a process. There is a whole vocabulary of lines that describe the scene. The image is made up of careful lines and cross-hatching, creating depth and texture. The paper itself becomes part of the picture. Look at how the lines form the snow, suggesting its softness and the way light hits it. It’s almost like Smith is drawing with light itself. There is a kind of humility and honesty in how the piece is made, which seems to be a nod to Morandi who was also interested in the quiet possibilities of simple mark-making. It reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, with each artist adding their voice to the mix, embracing ambiguity, and finding new ways to see the world.