Fantasie: diverse profielen, in het midden een grote kop met 'lege' kap, naar rechts gewend 1920

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita created this lithograph titled "Fantasie: diverse profielen, in het midden een grote kop met 'lege' kap, naar rechts gewend" using ink on paper. The artist’s hand is evident in every stroke, making the image feel immediate and raw. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the simple principle that oil and water don't mix. The artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applies ink, which adheres only to the greasy areas. The print is then made by pressing paper against the plate. De Mesquita’s method emphasizes the fluidity of ink, utilizing its capacity to generate deep blacks and delicate gradients. He coaxes unexpected textures and tonal shifts from the medium. This approach highlights the expressive potential inherent in the material, while also demanding significant physical engagement from the artist. The nature of lithography requires the artist to be a skilled craftsman. This work encourages us to value the artist’s technical expertise in addition to their artistic vision.