Broken Window #2 1955

Ralston Crawford made this print, Broken Window #2, sometime in the mid-twentieth century, probably using lithography. The man knew how to make a mark. I love the interplay of black and white in this print, the push and pull. It’s all about edges, where solid forms meet. The surface is flat, but those crisp lines create space, give you a sense of depth. There are subtle textures if you look closely. See how the light grey shard at the bottom of the window has these tiny, almost imperceptible lines inside it? They soften it, but also give a feeling of something dissolving. This print reminds me a bit of Franz Kline's bold, abstract strokes. Crawford’s broken window is not just about what's broken but what’s revealed – an ongoing conversation about art, perception, and the beauty of imperfection.