De Notenkraker, 10 november 1907 / De groote kwartjesvinder Possibly 1907 - 1911

This is Albert Hahn's lithograph, "The Great Quarter Finder," from 1907, made for the Dutch socialist newspaper, De Notenkraker. The piece is all about process, really, a direct, almost frantic energy comes from the hatching and cross-hatching that defines the figures and background. Look at the exaggerated size of the man in the Uncle Sam hat. The fine lines create a sense of volume and depth, especially in his clothing, but also contribute to the sinister, almost grotesque quality of his expression. Notice how the artist uses shadow to amplify the greedy grin. The cards in his hands, the coins scattered on the ground – it’s all rendered with such precision. Hahn’s work reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz. They both address political themes with a raw, emotional directness. Art’s always a conversation, right? A back-and-forth where meaning shifts and multiplies.