Spanish Steps, Rome 1922

Louis Conrad Rosenberg made this etching of the Spanish Steps in Rome at an unknown date, using what looks like a very fine needle. Look how minimal it is, just enough information to suggest the scene. I really appreciate this process, it reminds me of my own printmaking adventures. The magic here is in the details. See how the lines vary in thickness, some barely there, others quite bold? It gives the image depth and a sense of atmosphere. The overall impression is one of fleeting moments, like a memory fading in and out. And speaking of atmosphere, notice how Rosenberg suggests the bustling crowds with just a few well-placed strokes. It reminds me a little bit of Whistler, another master of suggestion and understatement. Art is a conversation, you know?