Subway Riders 1950

S. Kaplan made this woodcut print, Subway Riders, probably sometime in the 1950s. It's a scene made entirely in stark black and white, giving it a real graphic punch. Look at how Kaplan uses marks. They're pretty direct, and there’s no hiding the tool's hand, or even any blending. It feels like the artist had a clear idea and just went for it. The contrast is what makes this piece for me. The black ink feels thick and velvety, while the paper peeks through in sharp lines, creating this cool, almost vibrating texture. The way the light hits the faces and clothes – it's all about these stark, decisive cuts. Take a look at the hands of the man on the left. See how each line defines a shape, a wrinkle, a shadow? It’s economical but so expressive. This work reminds me a little of the social realism you see in some of the WPA prints from the 30’s, but with a more personal, less overtly political feel. Ultimately, it's a slice of life, raw and unfiltered, a moment captured in black and white that speaks volumes.