Press Roll c. 1935 - 1943

George Von Physter created this lithograph, "Press Roll," using a traditional printmaking process. The image is built up from a stone or metal plate, worked to hold ink in certain areas and reject it in others. Looking closely, you can see how the density of the lines creates a sense of depth and texture, from the sheen on the drums to the drummer's focused gaze. The process itself, the careful layering of ink, mirrors the labor and skill required to produce a sustained drum roll. Lithography, like drumming, is a craft demanding both technical precision and artistic sensibility. Von Physter elevates a working musician through this intricate medium, highlighting the cultural significance of jazz and the working class labor that brings music to life. "Press Roll" encourages us to appreciate the craftsmanship inherent not only in artmaking, but also in the performance it depicts.