Moonrise 1955

Stow Wengenroth made this lithograph titled 'Moonrise' at an unknown date, with a real commitment to tonal exploration, like a nocturne in grey. The grainy texture, achieved through the lithographic process, gives the landscape a tangible presence. Look closely at the reeds in the foreground. Each blade is carefully delineated, rising from the still water of the pond, the reflections shimmering in the moonlight. You can almost feel the cool night air and hear the quiet rustle of the grass. Wengenroth's mark-making feels delicate, almost reverential. The way the artist coaxes light from darkness reminds me of Whistler's etchings. But unlike Whistler's hazy impressions, Wengenroth anchors us in the specific details of this scene. It is this tension between the real and the ethereal that makes "Moonrise" so captivating.