Reading Man 1920

Sandor Bortnyik made this drawing, Reading Man, using graphite on paper. Bortnyik has created a scene using a range of shading techniques that give depth to the composition and volume to the figures. The Cubo-Futurist style allowed Bortnyik to experiment with geometric forms and fragmented imagery, to capture the dynamic energy of modern life, and the processes of industrialisation and mass production. The faceless figures appear as modern men, reading journals, surrounded by building blocks to represent the built environment. Through his sharp lines, angles and the overall design, he is able to suggest the alienation and dehumanization that can come from the industrialized world. Looking closely, this print provides a window into the social and political context of the early 20th century, prompting reflection on the relationship between art, labor, and society.