Open Window 1935

Ludwig Mestler made this etching called ‘Open Window’. It has such a delicate, scratchy feel, doesn’t it? Like he’s feeling his way through the image with the tip of his needle. Looking at the lower pane, it’s like the interior is pushing outwards, blurring the line between inside and out. The cross-hatching feels almost frantic, but then, there’s this stillness in the objects. I love the way he captures the light filtering through those pots and jars. There’s something about the unassuming nature of the subject matter that really grabs me, too. I’m reminded of Giorgio Morandi, who also transformed mundane objects into something quietly profound. With both artists it’s not about what you see, but how you see it. Ultimately, that’s what artmaking is all about: new ways of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world.