Central Park c. 1930

Alexander Zerdin Kruse made this print, titled Central Park, with ink on paper. I love how the monochromatic palette allows the viewer to focus on the lines, on the process itself, and on the scene that Kruse is trying to capture. The texture is where the image really lives. With such close attention to mark making, each line feels like a deliberate choice that accumulates to form a cohesive image. Take for example the wheel on the carriage. The artist has made the wheel by drawing lines radiating from the center. At the edges of the wheel, where there is a high concentration of line, the form is darker, and it fades towards the center to give it depth. I see echoes of artists like Whistler in his work, the way both approach the printmaking process with a shared interest in light, atmosphere, and the everyday. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider the beauty in simplicity, the power of observation, and the ongoing dialogue between artists across time.