Spring Plowing 1974

Richard Correll made this print called "Spring Plowing" using strong, graphic marks. It's like he's not just showing us a scene, but also the act of making it, every line feels purposeful. Check out the physicality of the medium – the sharp contrast between black and white, the way the gouges create texture. Look at how the furrows in the field, they’re almost sculptural, like Correll was carving into the earth itself. Notice the area around the tractor wheel, how the marks accumulate to create a sense of weight and depth. It's not just about representation; it's about the push and pull of the tools on the surface. This print reminds me a bit of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner, in its bold use of line and stark contrast. But Correll brings a distinctly American sensibility to it, a kind of gritty realism that speaks to the labor and landscape of the Midwest. It’s a reminder that art is always in conversation, building upon what came before, while forging something new.