Electric Sign 1927

Emil Ganso created this lithograph, "Electric Sign," using a traditional printmaking process. He drew on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then chemically treated it so that only the drawn areas would hold ink. The final print renders a complex interplay of textures, from the smooth expanses of the buildings to the grainy rendering of the sky. Note how the artist captures the stark contrasts between light and shadow using only the tonal variations of lithographic ink. The subject matter, a cityscape dominated by industrial structures and commercial signs, reflects the rapid urbanization of the early 20th century. This wasn't a scene of natural beauty, but of a landscape shaped by labor, production, and consumption. Ganso's choice of lithography, a relatively accessible medium, aligns with the democratic spirit of the era, challenging traditional hierarchies between fine art and the everyday experience.