The Lamps of God 1922

Winsor McCay made this drawing, "The Lamps of God," using ink on paper. It's a classic example of his illustrative style, showing off his talent for detail and composition within a limited frame. The artwork, with its carefully hatched lines, creates a world of light and shadow. Notice the sharp contrast between the solid forms and the radiating light, achieved purely through skillful manipulation of ink. The meticulous process McCay employed speaks to the demands of early 20th-century commercial art, where every line was deliberate, and deadlines were constant. McCay’s background as a newspaper artist undoubtedly influenced his approach. His work reflects the social context of mass media and visual storytelling, where craftsmanship and speed were equally valued. His style bridges the gap between fine art and the world of graphic illustration, inviting us to reconsider the value of the hand in an era of mass production.