Arrival 1958

Sylvia Wald made "Arrival" using lithography, a printmaking process where an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate and then printed. The unique characteristic of lithography is the way the image appears on the page, with its distinctive texture, weight, and form. Wald has used the stone's inherent qualities to create dynamic, sweeping marks. The process involves drawing with a greasy crayon, treating the stone with chemicals, and then using oil-based inks to transfer the image. The final print retains a sense of the artist’s hand, and the marks have a directness which makes you feel you are witnessing the moment of their creation. Lithography has a fascinating history, emerging in the 19th century as a relatively affordable method of image production. It was quickly adopted for both artistic and commercial purposes. Wald’s work pushes the medium toward abstraction, while still demonstrating the beauty and versatility inherent in this blend of art and technology. It reminds us that any artwork is inseparable from its means of production.