Subway 1953

Curator: Let's take a look at "Subway," a 1953 pencil drawing and print by Lewis Thorgersen. It's a compelling glimpse into urban life. Editor: It feels overwhelmingly somber. The starkness of the pencil strokes and the subdued tones definitely amplify the weary expressions on the commuters' faces. You immediately sense a certain dreariness associated with daily commutes, especially in the post-war period. Curator: That’s interesting. It is realistic in style, yet notice how the artist has captured something deeper than mere appearance. Look at the downward cast of the main figure's eyes, and the lines etched around the mouth. These aren’t just visual details; they're potent symbols of fatigue, perhaps even resignation. Do you think this work aims at a deeper kind of portraiture? Editor: Definitely. I read this as a quiet protest against the dehumanizing aspects of city life. Consider that in the 1950s, there was a rapid surge in suburbanization, leaving those dependent on public transit often marginalized. Each individual in the frame, despite their proximity, feels isolated. Even reading a newspaper looks like a gesture of resistance! Curator: I think you have a great point. Notice, also, that we cannot see the newspaper headlines—its form obscures specific content, directing focus instead to a more generic act of retreat from engagement. Reading provides a symbol for emotional detachment, maybe even defense mechanisms against the urban setting. Editor: It feels intentional—the arrangement and the overall narrative push us to ponder questions of access and alienation in the public spaces of mid-20th-century America. Curator: I agree, it seems as if it has a great resonance beyond representing transit: its figures tell a wider tale of human psychology. Editor: Yes, in its own quiet way. The work uses figuration and realist style to present potent visual evidence. Curator: I find that by blending observation with symbolism, Thorgersen challenges us to see the subway not just as a location but also as a mirror reflecting social issues of the time. Editor: Indeed, and in a time when collective action faced serious headwinds.