Statue of Liberty 1916

Rachael Robinson Elmer made this small print of the Statue of Liberty, we don't know exactly when, but it's a beautifully simple image, playing with blocks of colour. It’s a really process-based piece – you can almost feel Elmer cutting these shapes into the lino or wood she used to make the print. What I love about this print is how the texture and colour create a mood, the colours are muted and soft. This isn't a strident, bold statement, it's something much more subtle and reflective. It is so graphic, almost like lettering, this little boat chugging into the harbor, with smoke billowing from its chimney like handwriting. What a welcome! Elmer, who came from a family of artists, died young at 41, but this image stands as a lasting testament to her unique vision. It reminds me a little bit of some of the early 20th-century printmakers, like the German Expressionists, who were also experimenting with bold colours and simplified forms. But Elmer brings her own distinctly American sensibility to the mix, creating an image that is both powerful and deeply personal. Art is an ongoing conversation.