Nude Woman Seated 1919

This etching, "Nude Woman Seated," by Augustus John, captures the essence of a moment, fixed in ink on a metal plate. The sitter is a study in contrasts, her pose both relaxed and subtly tense. I imagine John, hunkered over his plate, coaxing the image into existence. His lines remind me of Rodin. There is a similar concern for a kind of 'honest' and imperfect depiction of the human body. It's the artist's eye, finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, that elevates the image. Her slightly downcast gaze, the soft cap perched atop her head, all invite a sense of intimacy. John captures a sliver of life, of a body in repose, reminding us that art-making is a conversation across time. We pass around ideas about seeing and feeling. Each artist contributes their voice to the unfolding dialogue.