Judith 1950

Benton Spruance made this lithograph, Judith, with crayon and tusche washes. The colors are bold, the composition even bolder. There is something appealing about the way Spruance uses mark-making as a process of unveiling the story. The physicality of the medium is tangible. You can almost feel the texture of the crayon on the stone. Notice how the rich greens and reds create a dramatic backdrop. Look at the way Judith’s face is rendered, veiled by a white cloth. The piece invites us to meditate on themes of gender, power, and morality. I am drawn to the area around Judith’s face and the head she presents; these elements together emphasize the weight of her actions. Spruance’s interest in lithography feels connected to earlier printmakers like Kathe Kollwitz, who used the medium to address themes of social justice and human struggle. Like all great art, the piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to ask questions rather than providing easy answers.