Dankbetuiging van Ék. Bauer 1935

This intimate little print is a thank you note by Kornél Révész. We see him working with etching, where the drawing is made by scratching into a metal plate, a really physical and hands-on process. I like how the lines feel so delicate, creating a sense of fragility. Look at the way the baby cupid is rendered. See how the etched lines give the cherub its form, and the roses and leaves create a soft, textural base. The tones are so soft, almost fading into the paper. But at the same time, there is a directness, and intimacy to it, because it's done by hand. It feels like a little gift. This print reminds me a little bit of some of Odilon Redon's drawings with their emphasis on mood and atmosphere, a poetic sensibility. With art, just like with thank you notes, it’s all about finding your own way to say things.