Chapeau de paille noir garni de plumes. 1919

This charming, anonymous print of a lady with a feathered hat, was made using etching, engraving, and stipple techniques. It’s part of a fashion almanac, so the goal here is about as far away from Abstract Expressionism as you can get! There’s a real delicacy in the linework and the way the colors are so carefully applied. Everything is designed to describe an object with precision: the curve of a cheek, the folds of fabric. Look at the pendant around her neck. The artist has gone to great lengths to depict the shading and the light, all using the most minimal means. It has a kind of determined, almost obsessive quality. It's fascinating to think of the hours spent rendering these details, a process which reminds me of the slow, repetitive work of Agnes Martin. Art is an ongoing conversation, full of unpredictable cross-currents and unexpected connections.