Menu 1933

James Penney made this print, "Menu," in 1933 using lithography, a process that relies on the contrast between greasy and water-receptive areas on a stone or metal plate. Penney likely drew his composition with a greasy crayon, capturing a group of figures contemplating a menu outside what appears to be an urban restaurant. Lithography is particularly interesting because it allows for a directness of drawing, and the ability to replicate that drawing in multiples. Penney’s approach to the medium seems less about high art and more about democratizing access. The bold, stark black ink emphasizes the weight and presence of the figures, and the immediacy of the urban scene. You can almost feel the city's pulse through Penney's distinctive strokes. This print blurs boundaries, reminding us that creativity thrives not just in rarified studios but also in everyday lives. The process and materials echo the scene itself, ordinary people engaging in a daily ritual.