Cloisters c. 1942

Lorene David made this print, called Cloisters, using black ink on paper. It’s so interesting how she’s used such a simple palette to create this sense of depth and light. You can really see the process in the texture she’s created. The whole image has a grainy feel to it. It gives the architecture this sort of ancient, crumbling quality. It reminds me of film stills. The stark contrast between the light and shadows really grabs you, doesn't it? There’s this tunnel of light that cuts right through the middle of the image, drawing your eye to those mysterious steps in the background. The two figures in the foreground are so minimal. They’re like these dark, looming shapes, which somehow makes them feel even more present. The geometry and stillness in this print reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler. It's a nice reminder that art isn't just about making something pretty, but about the conversations we have across generations.