Figurative Abstract Etching on Paper Titled Companions by Joseph Passalacqua (20th Century) This striking black-and-white print by Joseph Passalacqua, titled Companions, demonstrates the artist’s command of intaglio techniques and his sensitivity to the expressive potential of the human form. Executed in etching with aquatint, the work presents two closely intertwined figures rendered in bold contrasts of light and shadow. The angular planes, faceted forms, and layered tonalities suggest affinities with Cubism and Expressionism, while the composition conveys a profound sense of intimacy and solidarity. The figures, seated with arms encircling one another, emerge from a geometric backdrop that heightens the tension between abstraction and figuration. Passalacqua’s use of etched line combined with aquatint textures creates a dramatic chiaroscuro effect, giving the work both structural strength and emotional resonance. Companions captures the spirit of mid-20th-century modernist printmaking, balancing innovation in form with timeless themes of human connection. The print reflects the artist’s ability to transform technical mastery into deeply felt visual poetry. Dimensions : Dimensions framed :18”H 14” W 1" D Unframed / Mated: 17” H 12.75” W Unmated : 9”H 6.75” W