Sunday, Southern U.S. 1930

Albert Alexander Smith made this etching titled, Sunday, Southern U.S. sometime in the 1930s, and it's just alive with line work. You can almost see Smith thinking through the cross-hatched marks, a real dance of the hand. There’s a casualness to the scene, but the etching itself is so precise. Look at how Smith uses different densities of lines to create shadow and form. And the way he captures the textures—the rough fabric of the men’s clothing, the soft grass, even the worn wood of the fence. Then notice the man standing front and center. The figure is giving us a “showman” vibe. He’s holding a cane, wearing a top hat and bow tie, and looks to be making a point. I’m reminded of the prints of Jacob Lawrence, who like Smith, captured scenes of daily life and Black culture with such dignity and care. Both artists invite us to see the world through their eyes, to appreciate the nuances of everyday moments and the beauty of human connection.