Harbor 1939

Leon Bibel made this print called ‘Harbor’ using a linocut, which is a relief printing technique, a bit like a woodcut but using linoleum. The boats almost look like they're made out of building blocks, flat shapes coming together, a bit like Picasso, but flatter. Look how he's carved out the water with all those little white dashes, they create this lively sense of movement. The colors are very muted and blocky. The way the boats kind of lean into each other, some upright and others tilted, makes me think about how we all lean on each other, especially when the seas get rough. I love how the whole image feels so tactile and how the process is really visible. The overall effect makes me think about Milton Avery's flattened shapes, but with a rougher, more handmade feel. It's a reminder that art doesn't need to be perfect to be deeply moving.