Putzmacherin (Milliner) 1925

This is "Putzmacherin (Milliner)" by Karl Hofer. It’s an etching, a process that can feel a little like drawing with acid, and the result is a tonally rich and visually arresting image. Look at the way the lines define the form, how Hofer captures light and shadow through a network of marks. The lines are a little dry, and it feels like you can really see the trace of the artist's hand in them. See how, around the face and shoulders, the lines are denser, giving form to this world-weary looking woman? Now, notice the dress. The way it's rendered with these delicate, closely spaced lines. It gives the garment a sense of texture, almost like we could reach out and feel the fabric. I think it's so smart, the way the subtle shifts in tone create depth and volume. It’s almost like a drawing by George Grosz, or even the earlier work of Otto Dix. It reminds us that art is a conversation, and it invites us to listen in.