Summer 1958

Moishe Smith created this piece, Summer, using etching. Smith, a Jewish immigrant who came to the United States at age 11, often grappled with themes of displacement, memory, and identity. Here, the landscape is rendered with a starkness that belies the lushness we typically associate with summer. The monochromatic palette and dense, almost claustrophobic composition evoke a sense of isolation. As viewers, we're positioned at a distance, perhaps mirroring the artist's own sense of detachment from the landscape he depicts. In much of his work, Smith challenged conventional artistic representation, moving beyond the picturesque to explore deeper emotional and psychological territories. This print serves as a reminder that identity is often shaped by forces of history, memory, and personal experience. It compels us to consider the intricate relationship between our inner worlds and the landscapes we inhabit.