Undersea 1937

Stanley William Hayter made this etching, “Undersea,” using a metal plate to create a monochromatic world of textured lines. I imagine him, head bent close to the plate, guiding the etching needle with the sure hand of a practiced marksman. The image is like a dreamscape, isn't it? It’s got this odd figure holding what looks like a spear, standing next to some kind of geometric structure. Is it a boat? A building? What's so intriguing about this piece is the way the lines create depth and movement. See how the cross-hatching gives a sense of shadow and texture? Hayter’s not just drawing lines, he's building a whole environment. Hayter did so much experimental work with printmaking, and you see him here really pushing the boundaries, just like Picasso or Miró did in their own ways. Artists build on each other, challenge each other, and "Undersea" really speaks to that.