Laneham 1923

F.L. Griggs made this etching, Laneham, in 1923 using a detailed approach to mark making, mostly lines. What strikes me most is the texture that he creates, it’s like he's building something up with tiny strokes, a bit like bricks. The physical nature of the etched line gives a real sense of depth to the composition. Look closely at the way the lines around the doorway are worked, how they converge and diverge to create the illusion of shadow and light. You can almost feel the rough texture of the stone. The figure huddled in the doorway is beautifully rendered with such simple means, a few lines and some strategic shading! Griggs's work reminds me a little of Samuel Palmer. Like Palmer, Griggs sees something beautiful and otherworldly in the English landscape and the buildings that stand within it. It’s a reminder that art is about a conversation across time, an ongoing exchange of ideas. It embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations.