Columbus Circle 1929

Arnold Rönnebeck made this lithograph of Columbus Circle sometime in the early 20th century, working with crayon on stone to build up the image. Look at the hatching! See how he uses these tiny, dense lines to sculpt the forms of the buildings and create a sense of light and shadow? It’s like he’s feeling his way through the city with his fingertips. I love the way he captures the energy of the city, the hustle and bustle, with just a few simple marks. The texture is everything here. The graininess of the lithographic crayon gives the image a sort of gritty, urban feel. It makes me think about the soot and grime of the city, the way the buildings are constantly being worn down by the elements. It’s kind of like a modernist take on Piranesi, maybe. But with a distinctly American flavor. It’s a reminder that art is always a conversation. There’s always someone who came before, and someone who will come after.