Oil Derrick 1949

This lithograph of an 'Oil Derrick' was made by Frederic James sometime in the mid-twentieth century. It’s pretty striking. You can tell the artist is feeling the weight of this huge construction, all these beams like dark hatching looming into the distance. What was James thinking as he worked through this scene, I wonder? How to find a way to show the scale of the structure and the people who work on it? The print captures something of the enormity of the site. The beams and ladders are these dark diagonals that lead your eye into the distance, while the figures in the foreground huddle together as if seeking warmth. The artist is playing with how line can lead your eye around the scene and create a sense of place. It’s cool how artists can have these conversations across time and place, sharing their thoughts and inspiring each other to see the world in new ways. Making art is just one way of trying to make sense of all this.