Distribution of Land 1937

Luis Arenal made this print, Distribution of Land, using lithography, a process that lends itself to strong contrasts. The entire scene is rendered in deep blacks and bright whites that really grab your attention. The process here is all about the surface, isn't it? Look at the way Arenal carved out those fields, those tiny marks build up a sense of vastness. Then check out the faces in the crowd, a sea of individuals, each with their own story etched into their features. See how the landscape behind them seems to ripple? It’s not just a backdrop, it's part of the drama. The texture is built up so carefully, those deep, confident blacks are juxtaposed against the stark whites to create a real sense of depth. This print reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who used printmaking to address themes of social justice and the struggles of working-class people. It's like they're both tapping into this shared visual language, using the power of the medium to amplify their message. Anyway, art is never really done, is it? It's just an ongoing experiment in seeing.