Wilson (early portrait) 1919

This portrait of Wilson was made by Timothy Cole, and it’s monochromatic, focusing on gradations of light and dark. I imagine Cole, hunched over the plate, etching away with focused intensity, maybe pausing to squint at Wilson, then back to the work. The cross-hatching is so controlled and tight, creating these subtle shifts in tone that give Wilson’s face depth and character. Look at the tiny lines that define the contours of his face and how they give him a sense of gravitas. I wonder, was Cole trying to capture not just a likeness, but also something of Wilson’s inner life? It’s fascinating how the artist used a vocabulary of marks to describe the world. Cole and other engravers were in conversation with painters, translating their work, and adding their own voice to the mix. Each mark feels deliberate, contributing to the overall impression of the portrait.