Americans in Peacetime 1924

Alice Troxell McCoun made this etching, called Americans in Peacetime, back in 1929. The title itself is striking, isn't it? Especially given the image: an indigenous man stands, playing a flute, with a strange totem behind him, and in the distance, tipis and smoke. The magic of etching lies in the lines, and here they're incredibly delicate, almost vibrating. Look closely, you can see how McCoun uses tiny hatches and cross-hatching to build up tone and texture. It's all in shades of grey, from the wispy smoke to the solid mass of the figure. The contrast creates a real depth and mystery. I keep coming back to the figure’s eyes, the subtle curve of his lips, and the intricate details of his clothing. McCoun's work reminds me of some of Kathe Kollwitz’s prints - both artists are able to convey such emotion with relatively simple techniques. Both artists, too, refuse to offer easy answers, choosing instead to leave space for contemplation. Because that is what art should do, right? Embrace the ambiguous.