Traffic 1930

Louis Lozowick made this lithograph, called Traffic, using lithographic crayon and tusche. Looking at the image, I imagine Lozowick working in the studio, the litho stone in front of him. He’s building up this whole scene with these tiny, careful marks. It's a bustling intersection with trains overhead and cars everywhere. The city looks so exciting but also a little claustrophobic, the sky dark. The whole picture seems to vibrate with energy, but it's all held together by Lozowick's attention to form and detail. It reminds me of Léger, and other artists preoccupied with the modern city. Artists, like, are always looking at each other’s stuff, you know? And isn’t it interesting how, through drawing, Lozowick lets us experience the city in all its chaotic beauty. It’s not just about what we see, but also about how we feel when we’re in the thick of it. I think that’s where painting gets really amazing – when it can capture a feeling, not just a picture.