Sketch Plate 1902

This is a sketch plate by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, made with some kind of etching technique. I can just imagine him working on this, lost in thought. Look at the layering of faces, one over the other, like thoughts piling up in your mind. The lines are scratchy and immediate. It's not about perfection, it's about capturing a feeling. The faces are so close together, creating this sense of intimacy and maybe even a little claustrophobia. The use of hatching, these tiny parallel lines, builds up the shadows, giving depth to the figures. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the plate, digging into the surface. I'm reminded of Paula Rego's prints, the way she also uses line to create these psychologically charged images. Both artists aren't afraid to embrace the messiness of life. There is no right or wrong way to feel when looking at it.