Untitled (Gas Station) 1931

Konrad Cramer's 1931 "Untitled (Gas Station)" is a striking black and white lithograph depicting a gas station in the midst of an urban setting. The simplified, geometric forms of the buildings and the gas pumps evoke a sense of modernism. The image focuses on the station's architecture and its proximity to the viewer, highlighting the impact of the new age of gas stations and automobiles on American society. The overall aesthetic is a stark contrast to the more romantic and nostalgic representations of rural America prevalent at the time. This artwork is a prime example of the early 20th-century American printmaking movement, with its emphasis on everyday life and industrialization.