Arc Welders at Night 1937

Martin Lewis etched "Arc Welders at Night," using drypoint, sometime during his career. It’s really about contrasts, like looking at a Rothko but with a narrative. The velvety blacks, achieved with that drypoint burr, give such depth, while the stark white light almost hurts the eyes. It's a high-key scene, yet so much is shrouded in darkness. I love how the sparks from the welding are rendered as tiny, bright dashes—a pure mark-making delight! The texture of the paper itself plays a huge role. The way the ink sits on the surface, especially in those deep shadows, it's almost sculptural. It reminds me of Piranesi's prints of Rome, but with a distinctly American grit. Like, these are the modern-day builders, the ones holding things together, literally. Lewis doesn't give us answers, just a mood, a moment, a question. Isn't that what art's all about?