The Old Post Office c. 1910s

James Henry Daugherty made this print, The Old Post Office, using etching, which is such a physical and intuitive process. It’s all about lines, like drawing with acid. Check out the mass of cross-hatched lines forming the buildings; they feel spontaneous, a kind of controlled chaos. The ink sits on the paper almost like a memory, and the city buildings jostle together like people on a crowded street. The lines build up in places, creating depth and shadow, while other areas are left almost bare, giving a sense of light and air. Look at the little buses down in the street, tiny blips, like short commas in an endless sentence. Daugherty really captures the energy of the city, that feeling of constant movement and change. His work reminds me a little of Joseph Stella, another artist who was fascinated by the urban landscape. But Daugherty has his own distinct voice, a kind of gritty romanticism. This print is a beautiful example of how art can embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of life.