Indians Netting Salmon c. 1935 - 1940

Robert von Neumann created "Indians Netting Salmon" using lithography, a printmaking process that relies on the subtle resistance between grease and water. The image comes alive through the directness of drawing on stone, translating to a print marked by its tonal range from velvety blacks to dappled grays. Von Neumann has captured the scene of labor with an expressive hand, using dense cross-hatching to convey the churning river and the straining figures of the fishermen. The work's material quality influences its dramatic appearance, creating a texture reminiscent of a charcoal drawing. While lithography is an industrial medium, its reliance on skilled handwork connects it to a broader history of printmaking, a world of creative practices, and aesthetics. This image brings attention to labor and cultural tradition, highlighting the physical work and collaborative effort involved in fishing, and challenging our preconceived notions of the divide between fine art and craft.