Untitled (Storage Tanks) 1949

Lynd Kendall Ward made this stark image of storage tanks using wood engraving, a relief printing technique. Working in relief means cutting away the wood around the lines that you want to print, leaving the image raised on the block. The impact of the scene comes not only from the image itself, but also from the labor-intensive process of engraving. Notice the contrast between the dark, solid tanks and the densely worked landscape. The thousands of tiny cuts that Ward made to create these textures speak to an intense period of labor. Wood engraving had long been used for commercial illustration, and this history is crucial. Ward was deeply concerned with social issues. The image offers a commentary on industry, labor, and their environmental impact. Rather than an easy distinction between art and craft, Ward shows us a powerful synthesis.