Harlem Nights #2 c. 1933

Richard Loederer made this print, Harlem Nights #2, using black ink on paper. It’s all about bold contrasts, and he’s not afraid of them. It’s like he's carving away at the darkness to reveal a figure bursting with energy. I am drawn to the way Loederer uses light and shadow to create depth and movement. The dancer’s form emerges from a ground of solid black, her outline exaggerated by a bright, almost ethereal glow. Look closely at the parallel lines that form the stage, they create a dizzying sense of perspective, drawing you into the scene. It reminds me a little bit of some of the German Expressionist prints I’ve seen. But with a distinctly American subject and a touch of jazz age energy. It's like a conversation between different times and places, which is what art is all about, isn't it?