Richest Country in the World 1953

Herbert Lawrence Block, or Herblock, made this drawing, "Richest Country in the World," with ink, graphite, and wash on paper. Look at the buildings, how each line is purposeful, defining edges and textures, creating a cityscape that feels both solid and precarious. The contrast here is striking: sleek skyscrapers and distant airplanes loom over a humble schoolhouse, practically buried under a sea of cars. The cars feel like they're swallowing the school. The texture of the crowd, the lines are tight and repetitive, almost anxious. There's a looseness to the drawing. He's not trying to trick you into thinking this is real life. It's an idea. Think about the layers of meaning. The drawing's title suggests a critique of misplaced priorities. It's a conversation starter, not a final word. You might think of other artists like Philip Guston, who used simplified forms to talk about the political, but with a different sensibility. Art is about exchange, and Herblock's drawing invites us to think, question, and maybe even draw our own conclusions.