Tall Buildings 1943

Here we see Charles William Smith’s rendering of ‘Tall Buildings’ using lithography. I imagine Smith meticulously layering different shades of grey, beige, and white to construct these looming towers. It's not just about depicting buildings; it's about capturing the feeling of urban density, the way skyscrapers crowd the sky. You can almost feel the artist carefully etching each line, deciding where to add shadow and light. I sympathize with him— the act of building up forms with such simple means. The surface is very cool. Look closely at how he uses the texture of the lithographic stone to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Those vertical lines aren't just architectural details, they are the rhythm of the city itself, each stroke a beat in its frenetic pulse. Smith's cityscapes remind me of Lyonel Feininger's crystalline structures, but with a more grounded, gritty feel. I love to see how artists are in this constant conversation, exchanging ideas and inspiring new ways of seeing. It’s like a palimpsest, each layer adding to the richness of what came before.