Fire! 1948

Rockwell Kent made this print, titled 'Fire!', using lithography, which is a printmaking process that uses a stone or metal plate with a smooth surface. What I find compelling here is the way Kent builds drama with shades of gray. Look at the gradient of tones behind the figure, achieved through subtle textural variations. This isn't just about depicting a scene; it's about evoking a feeling, creating a mood. And then there's the figure himself, rendered with such clarity, holding an axe. The details in his face, especially the open mouth and furrowed brow, convey a sense of urgency. The smoke and flames are like active characters in this scene, swirling around him. I see echoes of artists like Kathe Kollwitz, who also used printmaking to address social issues. But Kent’s work has a graphic sensibility that is very much his own.