Oneida Bridge 1932

Schomer Lichtner’s ‘Oneida Bridge’ is all about stark contrasts. He's taken a gouge, knife, or maybe even a power tool to a block of wood, hacking away at it until this scene emerges. Looking at the image, I feel that Lichtenher is sympathizing with the scene. The river becomes a road, leading to a city of hard work. I think that the blocky shapes, like that open drawbridge, are really strong. The artist isn’t afraid of clunky and solid shapes, instead, everything is about the power of the line. The bridge seems to be reaching up, towards something on the horizon, and that little boat in the foreground is pointing us toward it. It’s like he is working hard to make a solid image, in dialogue with all those printmakers who are also embracing simplicity. It makes you want to run into the studio and cut something out of a piece of wood!