Broadway #1 1929

Harry Sternberg made this print called Broadway #1, and it's all about mark-making, a real dance of dark and light. Look at the way he's built up the image, those tiny little etched lines, like he's mapping out a whole world bit by bit. It's fascinating how Sternberg uses the physicality of the medium. It's all about texture here, from the slickness of the wet street to the fuzziness of the crowds. See that figure in the center, the way the lines of his jacket catch the light? It almost feels like you could reach out and touch it. I'm reminded of artists like Joseph Stella, who were also trying to capture the energy and chaos of the modern city. But Sternberg brings something different, a kind of gritty realism that's all his own. Ultimately, it's about embracing the messiness of life and art, finding beauty in the unexpected.