Under the El c. 1935 - 1943

Harry Rein's Under the El is made with monochrome marks that almost feel like they have been scratched onto the paper. Looking at this, I can't help but imagine Harry wrestling with the marks, trying to capture that particular kind of urban grit. It's like he's carving out space for himself. I wonder if he found this scene oppressive or exciting? I like the contrast between the very particular faces and the more abstract criss-cross of lines in the upper corner. Does it mean that the artist wanted to make a very specific portrait of individuals? Or maybe, to dissolve the individual into a broader urban landscape? This piece speaks to a lineage of mark-making, from printmaking to painting, where artists have continually pushed the boundaries of what a line can convey. Ambiguity and uncertainty are embraced here, leaving us, the viewers, to interpret the multiple meanings embedded within.