Blackout 1942

Beatrice Harper Banning made this print, "Blackout," with a real sense of drama using an etching technique. The mark making has a raw, almost unfinished quality to it, which only adds to the sense of a moment captured in time. Looking at the sky, you can almost feel the density of the clouds, scratched into the plate with such energy. Then, those beams of light cutting through the darkness - each one slightly different, some wavering, some strong. This print isn't just about what it shows, but how it feels. There’s a tension in the lines, a vibration that makes the scene come alive. It reminds me of Piranesi’s etchings; that same use of architectural spaces to convey a sense of emotional intensity. "Blackout" is not just an image; it’s an experience.