A Hospital Supply Depot 1940

Ethel Léontine Gabain made this lithograph, A Hospital Supply Depot, and it shows a room filled with women working at sewing machines. The mark making is very fine, with the light and shadow rendered using tiny, precise strokes. You can almost feel the rhythm of the machines and the focused energy in the room. The texture is all in the cross hatching, creating an image that feels both detailed and a little bit hazy, like a memory. Look at the way she captures the light streaming in through the large windows, creating a sort of grid that contrasts with the curves of the women’s faces and head coverings. The contrast between the precision of the machines and the soft organic forms of the figures is really interesting. This reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who also focused on women and their daily lives, but with a different kind of intensity. Ultimately, this piece embraces a certain ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the unseen labor and quiet strength of these women.