The Artist's Mother at the Piano 1914

Albert Belleroche made this print of his mother at the piano, we don’t know when, but it’s all about mark making. Look at that incredibly soft, smoky lithographic crayon. It feels so intimate, like we’re getting a peek into their private world. The whole image is built from tiny, delicate strokes. The way he suggests the light filtering in from the window is wonderful, it’s a kind of blurry, fuzzy luminosity. Notice how the texture of the paper shows through, giving the print a real sense of depth and atmosphere. The details are minimal, but they evoke so much, it’s all about suggestion, not description. This reminds me of some of Whistler's nocturnes, with that same moody, atmospheric quality. Ultimately, this piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations.