Awaiting Sentence 1957 - 1961

Anatoli Kaplan made this print, Awaiting Sentence, using the process of lithography. This is a printmaking technique that relies on the contrast between oily and water-based substances. Look closely, and you'll notice the rich blacks achieved through this method, which involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applying ink that adheres only to the drawn areas. The artist would have needed skill and patience to build up the image through layers of mark-making. The figures in the foreground have a weighty, almost melancholic presence, amplified by the density of the ink. Kaplan was deeply interested in Jewish culture, particularly the Yiddish language and its associated folk traditions. His prints often depict scenes from Jewish life in Russia, and this one is no exception. By using lithography, a process that allows for the reproduction of images, Kaplan was able to circulate these cultural narratives widely. The print embodies a democratic spirit, making art accessible to a broader audience and preserving cultural memory through the labor-intensive, yet reproducible, medium of lithography.