Lines in Vertical Area 1940

Werner Drewes made this print, Lines in Vertical Area, using etching, aquatint, and engraving. Looking at this artwork, I imagine Drewes building up the image in layers, almost like constructing a building. The etched lines create a sense of depth, like looking through scaffolding into an unknown space. The aquatint adds a tonal complexity, giving the forms weight and substance. I wonder what Drewes was thinking about when he was making this. Was he thinking about architecture, about the structures that shape our lives? Or was he simply enjoying the process of mark-making, letting the lines and shapes emerge intuitively? It reminds me a little of Kandinsky's early abstractions, but with a more industrial feel. Ultimately, I think Drewes invites us to participate in the act of seeing and questioning. The history of art is such a great conversation and a source of inspiration. And, for me, this print celebrates the potential for art to explore and question the world around us.