The Whiteness of the Whale c. 1967

Benton Spruance made "The Whiteness of the Whale" using lithographic crayon and tusche wash. Look how the whale fills almost the entire pictorial space; it's a wonderful study in monochromatic tones. The contrast of light and dark is especially striking. The whale's body is rendered in soft, smudgy whites, which gives it an ethereal quality. In the foreground the surface is rougher, with textures created by the crayon. These marks have a physical presence, so you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the lithographic stone. The thin, scratched lines crisscrossing the whale add a layer of tension. It reminds me of the work of Franz Kline, who was also exploring the expressive potential of black and white abstraction around the same time. Yet, unlike Kline's bold, decisive gestures, there’s a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty here. Ultimately, this piece shows us how art embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations.