Dix Sept One I

Ramon Edward Oeschger

Ramon Oeschger, who taught printmaking at San Jose State in California, had studied at Atelier 17 nearly two decades prior to his creation of “Dix Sept One I,” yet many of the influences of the famous experimental workshop remained.

Deeply etched and saturated in jewel tones, this composition illustrated Oeschger’s keen understanding of the intaglio method, lacing complex geometric patterns over plumes of emerald green shot through with ruby and cobalt. A straight, abrupt line shoots through the center of the piece, and Oschger carefully pulls the shard-like lines apart from the center out. They begin to resemble an explosion observed in slow motion, quietly moving outward toward the edges of the matrix.