Oil Tanks 1952

Grace Albee made this print, Oil Tanks, sometime in the early to mid 20th century. The whole image is built up from a series of tiny lines, a bit like pointillism but with dashes, it’s a very patient, meticulous process, and the end result is a really charming scene. Look closely and you’ll notice that the image is built up with a network of fine lines, hatch marks and tiny dots. This gives the whole image a sort of grainy texture, which adds a lot of depth and makes the surface feel almost tangible, like you could reach out and touch it. The foreground fence is so dark and solid, like a barrier that both separates us from the scene, but also invites us to look more closely. There’s something about the way Albee uses these simple marks to create form and space that reminds me of Agnes Martin’s subtle pencil drawings. It’s like she's showing us that art is not about grand gestures, but quiet observation, a conversation, and a connection.