Night Shift 1941

Eugene Karlin's 1941 lithograph, "Night Shift," depicts three figures walking in profile against a dark, smoky background. The central figure, a man in a cap and coat, is walking with his arm outstretched toward an industrial structure in the distance, suggesting the laborers' exhaustion after a long shift. The figures' elongated limbs and starkly simplified forms create a sense of anonymity and illustrate the repetitive nature of their work. The industrial landscape and the men's weariness contribute to the work's somber and melancholic atmosphere. This artwork highlights the social and economic conditions of the era, prompting viewers to contemplate the human cost of industrialization.