The Visitor c. 1940

Zena Kavin created this lithograph, a print called ‘The Visitor,’ using a direct approach to drawing. A lithograph involves drawing directly on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. The matrix is then pressed to paper. The appearance of this work is markedly affected by this process. Its grainy texture and strong contrast between light and shadow, achieved through dense mark-making, give it a dramatic flair. Kavin's engagement with lithography connects her to a rich history of printmaking. Although lithography allowed artists to produce works in multiples, it was a labor-intensive medium, requiring skilled artisans to prepare the stones and operate the presses. This print is both a work of art and a document of production. Kavin challenges our understanding of material culture, by demonstrating the interplay between artistic vision and material execution.