Marching as to War 1904

Helen Hyde made this print called ‘Marching as to War’ with etching and color aquatint. It’s an image of children playing, so the title feels ironic, or maybe it reflects some kind of complex tension. I love the way she's using the aquatint to make these delicate color washes. It’s not about heavy lines here, but these really subtle shifts in tone. The way she layers those colors feels so intuitive, almost like she's letting the process guide her, instead of the other way around. Look at the little girl's kimono, the way the light hits it. The surface of her sleeve is like a field of tiny interactions, where the colors bleed and blend. It reminds me of how Bonnard worked with color. There's a similar intimacy and gentleness. I think Hyde really understood that art is not about fixed meanings but about opening up a space for contemplation.