Girl on Stairs 1937

Robert Austin made this etching, Girl on Stairs, at an unknown date using delicate lines on a plate. I wonder what Austin was thinking when he composed this scene, the girl slightly slumped against the railing, weighed down by the flowers in her hands. Was she tired, sad, or simply pensive, pausing for breath? The scene is rendered by these meticulous marks, which build up to create a sense of volume and depth. The light and shadow emphasize the angles of the staircase, as if it is a stage. The texture of the paper adds another layer, softening the contrast and giving it an intimate quality. It is interesting to consider this in relation to other images of women from this period - there's a real sense of vulnerability here. Prints like this one remind us that art is like an ongoing conversation - each work builds upon and responds to what has come before.