Riveters c. 1940

This is "Riveters," an early print made by John Holmes. The printmaking process itself, with its carved lines and areas of contrast, mirrors the act of construction depicted. Holmes creates a world of industry and labor with just a few bold strokes. Look at the texture he achieves! The crisscrossing lines build up the forms of the steel girders. He uses hatching to create shadows and a sense of depth. The human figures almost seem to be consumed by the angular steel structure which dwarfs them. Each mark feels decisive. In the bottom right corner, the signature is almost lost in the overall composition. It's easy to get lost in the image and forget it was created by somebody. This piece brings to mind the social realist prints of the 1930s, where artists like Elizabeth Olds documented scenes of American labor and industry. But here, there's a starkness, a kind of beauty in the machine. It is a testament to the power of simple materials.