Signal Hill c. 1930

Margaret Lowengrund made this print, Signal Hill, without a specific date, using etching. There’s a real sense of process here, the linear marks feel intuitively drawn, like a sketch done on the spot. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the texture and the tonal contrasts. The dense network of lines builds up the forms, creating a palpable sense of depth and atmosphere. I'm really drawn to the way she renders the towering oil rigs, the dark cross hatching gives them this looming, almost menacing quality. Then you notice the tiny figures walking on the road, it's such a simple gesture but it brings the whole scene to life. Lowengrund's work has a certain kinship with artists like the German Expressionist, Otto Dix, sharing an interest in gritty urban landscapes. Ultimately, Signal Hill invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between industrial progress and the human experience.