Errante 1926

Adolfo Bellocq made this print, Errante, in 1926, and just look at the marks! Notice how Bellocq's marks build up the form of the face and hand, with hatching lines moving in all directions to describe the shadow. He makes the most of the texture of the paper to create tone and depth. You can almost feel the roughness of the man's beard and hair, or the slight tension in the hand pressed against his chest. See how the lines around the mouth are so precise and dark, giving a sense of the man’s stern expression. Even the little owl in the top left corner has such an intense gaze! The graphic nature of this work reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, who knew how to use black and white to their fullest potential to convey humanity, drama, and emotion. Art is all about communication, and Bellocq certainly has something to say here!