Blooming Mill—Sheffield Steel of Texas 1945

Jackson Lee Nesbitt made this etching, Blooming Mill—Sheffield Steel of Texas, using cross-hatching to conjure the atmosphere of the factory in subtle silvery grey tones. I can imagine Nesbitt holding the etching needle, gently coaxing the image out of the metal plate. It’s a very controlled process, and maybe even a little stressful, trying to get that balance between light and shadow. There is a cinematic quality to this work. Look at that glowing furnace light and the almost imperceptible presence of the workers. Etchings can be so detailed. I can almost feel the heat. Nesbitt's industrial scenes echo the work of other artists like Joseph Pennell, who were documenting American industry. But they were also speaking to the changing nature of work and labor. It’s like they were aware that they were recording something that was disappearing, or about to change forever.