Ravenel Doorway, Charleston c. 1945

This little etching of a Charleston doorway was made by Elizabeth O’Neill Verner; she captures a slice of life with a few figures populating the scene. The whole composition has a delicate feel to it, created by the many thin lines. I can imagine Verner carefully building up this image bit by bit, scratching away at the metal to create a sense of depth and shadow. I love the way the bare tree sort of looms over everything, its branches like veins reaching out across the sky. It almost feels alive, as if it has its own story to tell! The doorway is intriguing, it is grand, yet inviting. There are little details, like the ironwork on the balcony, which gives the whole scene a sense of place. I can see Verner's connection to artists such as Whistler or Joseph Pennell, all playing with light and shadow. The beauty of art is that each artist leaves their mark. They keep adding to a conversation, across time, each one influencing and inspiring the next.