Central Park c. 1930

Alexander Zerdin Kruse made this lithograph of Central Park at an unknown date, using dark and light to bring the scene to life. Look at how the artist used tight, fine marks to build up the image. I imagine Kruse spending time on this, carefully layering to create depth and form. He must have considered how to use light to capture the textures of the horse’s coat, the carriage, and the surrounding environment. I wonder if Kruse thought about the history of representing Central Park, a well-known and much-pictured place? Maybe he wanted to offer his unique take, focusing on the everyday lives of the park's visitors? It's interesting how artists take on familiar subjects, each bringing their own vision and touch. Thinking about art as a kind of ongoing conversation, each artist adds their voice, building on what came before. The artist offers us a moment frozen in time.