The War of Machines c. late 1930s

Carl Hoeckner made this print, titled "The War of Machines", by manually incising lines onto a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. After inking, this plate would have been pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The visual impact of the print arises from the intricate linework and the stark contrast between light and shadow. Hoeckner uses this contrast to emphasize the overwhelming and chaotic nature of industrial warfare. The medium itself, printmaking, is inherently tied to reproducibility and mass production, echoing the industrial themes present in the artwork. The subject reflects the artist’s social concerns, focusing on the devastating impact of machines and industrialization, which deeply affected the working class in the early 20th century. By appreciating the materials, making, and historical context, we understand how art challenges conventional divisions between art and craft and reflects broader social issues.