Jane 1916

Timothy Cole made this print, called ‘Jane’, at some point during his career. Looking at the detail in her dress, the way the folds are described, you can see Cole really knew his way around the burin. There’s something so compelling about the physicality of engraving. I love the way the stark contrast between the black lines and the white paper creates a sort of visual vibration. It's not just about representing form, but about the push and pull between light and dark, the way the marks themselves create depth and texture. Look at the way he’s built up the shadows around the figure in the background. It’s almost like he’s sculpting with light. Cole's work reminds me a bit of someone like Vija Celmins, who also has a meticulous approach. Both artists, in their own way, invite us to slow down and really see the world around us, mark by tiny mark. Ultimately, what’s so interesting about art is that it's always a conversation, never a final statement.