Untitled (Figure Strolling) c. 1935

Irving Lehman made this untitled block print of a figure strolling. What’s fascinating here is Lehman’s approach to mark-making, creating a world using just black and white. The texture is built from linear marks, some flowing like water, others rigid like a fence. The figure itself is a collage of geometric shapes. Look at how Lehman uses these shapes to create a sense of depth and movement. There’s a real push-and-pull between abstraction and representation. I love the little details, like the tiny squares with silhouettes near the right edge. It’s as if Lehman is giving us glimpses into another world, a world existing within the world of the print. This print reminds me of the work of Stuart Davis. Both artists share a love of geometry, and a desire to translate the energy of urban life into abstract forms. Lehman invites us to stroll through his world. It’s a world where things aren’t always what they seem.