Commercial High School c. 20th century

Curator: This is Harry Sternberg's "Commercial High School," and I'm struck by how foreboding it feels despite depicting a place of learning. Editor: Yes, the heavy linework and dense blocks of black ink create a feeling of confinement and restriction, appropriate to a system that often prioritizes profit over personal growth. Curator: Sternberg, born in 1904, often focused on the plight of the working class. I see the school here as a microcosm of capitalist structures, funnelling students into pre-determined roles. Editor: Agreed. The stark contrast in materials—the rough-hewn woodblock against the smooth paper—highlights the division between labor and capital, suggesting the school is a site of both production and consumption. Curator: It reminds us to continually question the systems that shape our lives and the potential for education to be a tool of both liberation and oppression. Editor: Ultimately, understanding the artist’s hand in creating this print helps us unpack its message: it’s not just about the school, but about the power dynamics inherent in its very construction.