The Lily c. 1931 - 1932

Margaret Lowengrund made this print, called "The Lily," at some point in the mid-20th century. It's all about the dance between light and dark, built from a really sensitive process of mark-making. Look at how the lily itself emerges, almost glowing against these shadowy forms. Lowengrund coaxes the image out of the paper through layers and layers of hatching. It feels like the lily is caught in a web of textures. There's a real tactile quality here, especially in the way the light seems to catch on the rough surface of the surrounding shapes. The textures and tones work together to create a kind of dreamlike space. It feels a bit like what Whistler was doing with lithography, especially in the way she's embracing the potential of the printmaking process itself. Ultimately, the lily becomes a symbol of resilience and beauty, pushing through the darkness.