Miss Witch c. 1940s

Franz Bergmann created this print, "Miss Witch," using lithography, a process that allows for a painterly quality. The image is built up through layers of color applied to the paper surface. Look closely, and you'll see that the artist used soft hues to create a dreamlike setting. The buildings and sky have a hazy appearance. The witch is constructed from geometric shapes, with a limited palette of colors. The lithographic process allows for the layering of colors and textures, creating visual depth. The printmaking process involves labor, from the preparation of the lithographic stone to the printing of the final image. The layering of color requires careful planning and precise execution. Bergmann's choice of lithography, with its capacity for subtle tonal gradations, adds to the work's enigmatic, almost ethereal quality. This work challenges our assumptions about what constitutes fine art, emphasizing the role of craft and process in artistic expression.