Black Magic 1929

Gerald Geerlings created this print, "Black Magic," using etching. The composition is dominated by the imposing verticality of the skyscraper, which contrasts with the horizontal street scene. The artist manipulates light and shadow to create a dramatic, almost theatrical atmosphere. Notice how Geerlings uses the contrast between light and dark to emphasize the towering presence of the buildings, imbuing the city with a sense of mystery. The print challenges our perception of urban space. The scene seems to teeter between awe and alienation. The skyscraper is a signifier of modernity and power, yet in this image, its scale seems overwhelming, even ominous. The title, "Black Magic," suggests something more than just a depiction of a city at night; it hints at the transformative, perhaps even unsettling, impact of modernity on our understanding of space and experience.