Betty Fisher c. 1960s

Milton Levey made this intaglio print called Betty Fisher. The composition is dominated by an earthy palette, creating an intimate and somewhat melancholic atmosphere. The figure emerges from a textured background, with a palpable sense of depth achieved through the layering of tones and the use of line. Levey's print engages with the tradition of portraiture, yet subverts conventional representation. Betty Fisher's frontal pose and direct gaze establish a connection with the viewer, but her facial features are simplified, almost mask-like, which distances her. The formal tension between presence and absence invites a semiotic interpretation. Her patterned dress and the surrounding ornamentation speak to her individuality, set against the backdrop which seems to dissolve the figure into a constellation of signs. The texture functions not merely as a decorative element but also as an indexical sign, pointing back to the artist's hand and the materiality of the printing process. The image invites us to explore the intersection of identity, representation, and the very structures that shape our understanding.