Stone #1 1942

John Opper made this lithograph, Stone #1, in 1942. It’s all about the push and pull of blacks and whites, a real wrestling match on paper. You can see the physical work that went into this piece, the way he layered the dark ink, almost like sculpting with shadows. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Opper doesn't hold back. There are scratchy lines and dense, almost velvety blacks that create a sense of depth and texture. It’s a bit like staring into a storm cloud, where shapes keep shifting and changing. This piece reminds me of the raw energy of some of the Abstract Expressionists, like Franz Kline, who also weren't afraid to let their process show. Opper invites us to embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of art-making. It’s more about the journey than a destination.