Judith 1950

Benton Spruance made this print, Judith, using lithography, a process that's all about layering and building up an image kind of like how we build up our own understanding of the world, piece by piece. The artwork is mostly this red monochrome, focusing our attention on texture and form. Look closely at how the lines are made, the shading, it’s almost like you can feel the artist’s hand moving across the stone. In the upper right, there’s a sort of asterisk or star. It's not just a shape, but an energy point that pulls everything together. The stark contrast between the solid blocks of color and the detailed areas like the face create a rhythm. Spruance’s work often dives into narratives. Thinking about his influences, artists like Kathe Kollwitz come to mind, with their strong social commentary, but Spruance brings in a uniquely American perspective. Ultimately, it's all about feeling and experiencing, not just seeing.