Le Village, Normandie (The Village, Normandy), Lester George Hornby

Exhibition Label: "American Etchers Abroad, 1880-1939," Apr-2004, Reed Anderson Whereas many of his colleagues were drawn to depict the architectural wonders of Europe, Lester Hornby exhibited a particular fondness for the people. Hornby lived abroad for many years and explored the picturesque nooks of large urban centers like Paris, as well as the quaint villages of the countryside, where life had remained basically unchanged for centuries. An illustrator by temperament and profession, Hornby used prints to tell simple stories about life’s pleasures and sorrows. While residing in Paris in the early 1900s, Hornby ventured north, and from this journey produced etchings like "Le Village, Normandie." By this time Hornby’s etching style had fully matured; his light touch with the needle was firmly in place. In "Le Village, Normandie" one can detect his use of the curved or looped line that became a signature characteristic of his prints. He used many loose rounded lines to render the leaves in the trees, the vegetation along the path, and the billowing clouds overhead. These energetic markings also contribute to a sense of atmosphere and suggest a windy day, which is characteristic of the region.