L'Escoutay 1951

Stanley William Hayter made this color etching and engraving, L'Escoutay. In the mid-20th century, Hayter's Atelier 17 in Paris was a crucial hub for artists exploring abstraction. But what did abstraction mean in the wake of total war? In this print, Hayter retains a recognizable figure, but the loose lines and intense colors create a sense of movement and energy, pushing the boundaries of representation. This approach chimes with the broader questioning of traditional forms and values that took place across Europe after 1945. Was this a rejection of tradition or an attempt to create new artistic languages for a changed world? To understand this artwork better, we might look at manifestos and journals from the period, exploring what artists and critics hoped to achieve through abstraction. What social function does art play in times of upheaval? The answers might just surprise you.