My Father (version 2) 1935

Will Barnet made this print, "My Father (version 2)", using etching, aquatint, and drypoint. You know, sometimes the real magic of a print lies in its subtle touch, in how it uses tone and texture to evoke a mood, just like here. Look at how the aquatint creates these shadowy areas, that almost feel like a memory fading in and out of focus. The drypoint lines are so delicate, they're like whispers on the paper. Notice the way Barnet uses these techniques to describe his father's face: the brow furrowed in thought, the soft curve of his cheek resting on his hand, it's intimate and tender. The texture created by the aquatint almost feels like the passing of time. It reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz’s prints, with that same sense of melancholic intimacy. But where Kollwitz is often raw and expressive, Barnet feels quieter, more reflective. And that, to me, is what makes this print so special. It's not just a portrait, it's a meditation on memory, family, and the way we see the ones we love.