The Boot Black c. 1930

"The Boot Black" is a 1930s etching by American artist Helen Wessels, known for her social realist artwork. The print depicts a street scene with a shoe shiner kneeling before a seated customer reading a newspaper. The composition emphasizes the social and economic differences between the two figures, highlighting the realities of poverty and labor in the early 20th century. Wessels's use of cross-hatching and linework creates a sense of texture and realism, drawing the viewer into the gritty setting.