Peladora de Cana 1936

Mauricio Lasansky made this print, Peladora de Cana, in monochrome, using the graphic techniques of etching and engraving. Imagine the artist bent over the metal plate, pushing and pulling the tool, scratching at the surface, each mark a tiny decision. What was Lasansky thinking as he created the striking figures? The woman's face seems tired, worn, yet resolute. The little donkey looks equally burdened. See how Lasansky uses line to create a sense of texture and depth, building up layer upon layer of marks, digging into the metal. Those expressive lines! Lasansky was an Argentinian American printmaker known for his technical skill and his powerful social commentary, often referencing historical and contemporary events. There is a universal quality to this piece. Think of Goya's Disasters of War, those etched lines of devastation, or Kollwitz’s prints of German poverty. It makes you wonder about the stories behind the faces, the lives etched into the lines. Artists are always in conversation, across time, inspiring each other.