Anne-The Riveter c. 1942

This is Lillian E. Hall's striking linocut, "Anne-The Riveter." With its bold black and white contrast, it looks to me like a testament to the women who entered traditionally male roles during times of war. I wonder about Hall as she carved into the linoleum, carefully choosing which parts to remove, knowing that what remained would define the image. Look at how the solid blacks give weight to Anne's form, while the jagged white lines around her head suggest the sparks and energy of her work. It reminds me of a woodcut by Kathe Kollwitz, but there's a playfulness here that is all Hall's own. I imagine her thinking about the labor, the grit, and the quiet dignity of this figure. Anne, shielded and ready, becomes a symbol of strength and resilience. And, you know, she looks pretty cool. Hall and Kollwitz, different artists, different eras, but part of the same conversation about what it means to be human, to work, and to endure.