HITTY by Rachel Field 16 

Dorothy Lathrop's "Hitty by Rachel Field 16," is an intricate work of ink on paper, alive with detailed patterns. The eye is immediately drawn to the dynamic interplay between solid blacks and stark whites, creating a visually stimulating experience. The composition employs a sophisticated layering of figures and garments, each adorned with dense, contrasting designs. This use of repetitive motifs across the dresses invites a semiotic reading; the flowers and abstract shapes acting as signs that may represent the characters' stories. Lathrop's meticulous approach destabilizes conventional notions of depth and perspective. The figures exist in a flattened space, their forms defined by the patterns that both clothe and confine them. The density of line work creates an almost tactile surface, inviting us to consider the materiality of the image itself. The pattern seems to blur the boundary between the figures and the surrounding space, challenging the viewer's perception. It reminds us that art is not a mirror reflecting reality, but a construction of signs and symbols, open to interpretation.