Oil Derrick 1949

Frederic James made this print of an Oil Derrick sometime in the middle of the 20th century. The image is a network of lines and hatch marks that criss-cross the paper, constructing shapes and forms, and areas of light and dark. It’s like drawing with a very fine pencil. James’s image is more than just descriptive, it’s atmospheric. The darkness is palpable, and the figures seem caught in a kind of industrial ballet. The texture of the print, you can almost feel the grit and grime of the derrick itself. Look at the way he renders the metal struts and beams, each line carefully placed to suggest depth and volume. There is a real energy here. The American painter and printmaker, Martin Lewis, who worked in a similar time period, also understood how to create mood with careful mark-making. But, of course, James's work is its own thing, a unique vision rendered with precision and care. Art is an ongoing conversation.