The Press 1951

This is Bertram Goodman’s print, *The Press*. Look at the dense thicket of lines, hatched and cross-hatched to create dark and light. I can imagine Goodman, bent over his plate, building up the image bit by bit. I think he's trying to evoke the feel of industrialization, the cogs and levers of machinery, the hidden power of the press. But it is also an image about image-making, about the labor involved in creating something, and the pressure exerted to transfer an idea from one surface to another. That crisp white rectangle in the centre really anchors the composition. Maybe it is a piece of paper being pressed? The printmaking process, the way lines and textures are layered, reminds us that art making is a type of work. Goodman’s creation resonates with other artists who have explored the intersection of labor, industry, and representation. This piece embodies a moment in art history, a nod to the working classes, and the power of image making.