Horae 1945

James Goetz made this etching, Horae, in 1945, and it's like a dreamscape of lines and shapes. The hatching and cross-hatching create this amazing depth, like he's carving into our perception itself. It’s all about the process, the way the lines build up. Looking closer, the texture is fascinating. The ink catches in the grooves, creating a sort of shimmering effect. The face is split, with this kind of back and forth, the tension between the planes of the face. See how the line quality varies? Some are bold and certain, others are tentative, almost like the artist is feeling his way through the image. It’s like a conversation with the plate. I’m reminded of Picasso’s explorations of form, but with a more personal, almost vulnerable touch. Art's not about answers, it's about the questions we ask along the way, and the spaces we create for others to join the conversation.