The Print Collector 

This is The Print Collector, made by Percy Lancaster sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. The etching presents a close-knit group of three figures intently studying a print, and the artist's skillful use of light and shadow creates a mood of scholarly concentration. The composition is structured to draw our eyes to the focal point, the print being examined. Lancaster uses line and texture to describe the figures' aged faces and clothing. The tonal variations give depth to the scene, and the detailed rendering of the textures, from the crinkles in their skin to the fabric of their garments, underscores the materiality of the image. The act of collecting and studying prints, a cultural activity deeply embedded in systems of knowledge and value, reflects a broader interest in representation. Through his composition, Lancaster seems to invite us to contemplate the role of the image, the relationship between the viewer and the viewed, and the enduring human desire to seek meaning through art.