Hindu Village (Das Hindudorf) c. 1925

This etching, Hindu Village, was made by Paul Gangolf, but when exactly, well, that’s part of the mystery. Look at how Gangolf crams so much into such a small space. The composition is jam-packed with figures, animals, and structures, all rendered with this wiry, energetic line. He’s not trying to give us a photograph, instead, he’s using the etching needle almost like a pen, sketching out a world as he imagines it. The texture is created entirely through line, hatching and cross-hatching giving a sense of depth and shadow, even though it’s all in monochrome. Notice the areas where the lines become denser, like in the foreground figures, and how this creates a sense of weight and presence. Then, look up at the sky, where the lines are sparser, giving a feeling of openness. It’s like Gangolf is inviting us to get lost in the details. The organized chaos reminds me a little of James Ensor, who was also fascinated by crowds and theatricality. Art is all about keeping the conversation flowing.