Untitled (Delivery By Rail) 1949

Lynd Ward's 1949 wood engraving "Untitled (Delivery By Rail)" depicts a scene of industrial transportation. The composition features a railroad worker standing on a train car, signaling with his hand, a scene framed by the vast landscape and the distant sun. Ward, known for his stark black and white style, creates a striking visual representation of a common yet essential aspect of American life in the mid-20th century. The artist's use of bold lines and dramatic contrasts emphasizes the worker's role in delivering goods, underscoring the significance of rail transport in a rapidly industrializing nation. The scene is framed by a wide vista, further highlighting the scale and importance of the subject, a clear example of American Social Realism.