Mary Mullane 1922

Childe Hassam made this etching, Mary Mullane, on paper. It’s all about line, a network of marks creating light and shadow. I love the way Hassam uses hatching to build up the form of Mary’s face. It’s like he’s feeling his way around her features, each tiny stroke adding to the overall sense of volume and depth. Look closely at the way he renders the fabric of her blouse, it's so delicate. The lines are thinner and more closely spaced, giving it a light, airy quality. And the background is created from soft vertical strokes, suggesting the folds of a curtain. Mary Mullane reminds me of Whistler's etchings, which like this piece are all about suggestion and implication, leaving space for the viewer to fill in the gaps. Art’s like a conversation with yourself, the artist, and the world. There’s no right or wrong way to see it, just different ways of experiencing it.