The Violinist 1957

Eugene Larkin made this monochrome print, The Violinist, carving away at the block and layering ink to create this incredible image. I'm thinking about that moment when the artist began to transfer his imagination to the medium; so many decisions, so many opportunities for trial and error. The bold contrast between light and dark gives this piece a powerful presence. Look at the way Larkin uses these strong lines to define the musician's form and clothing, creating a sense of depth and movement. I feel that the marks capture the essence of the musical performance: they vibrate with sound! You know, when I look at prints like this I remember other painters and other paintings. I think about the push and pull of creativity, where artists are in an ongoing conversation, picking up on each other’s cues across time. Like musicians riffing on a theme, there are endless ways to interpret and reimagine our world.