Anne-The Riveter c. 1942

Lillian E. Hall's "Anne-The Riveter" is a block print, a medium where the process is right there on the surface. The bold contrast of black and white throws Anne into high relief, almost like a propaganda poster, but softened by the handmade quality of the print. Look at how the light radiates from behind her, those jagged lines create a halo effect, but it’s almost aggressive, as if she is not a saint but a powerful force. I love how the inscription "ANNE" becomes part of the design, blurring the line between text and image, and that tiger! It's like a tiny, surreal talisman accompanying her into battle. The tiger, the name, the halo; Hall doesn't just represent Anne, she mythologizes her. Hall’s work reminds me of other artists who embraced printmaking for its accessibility and graphic power, like Elizabeth Catlett. Ultimately, Hall’s “Anne” celebrates the strength and complexity of women in a time of upheaval, embracing the power of art to create meaning.