Slush Banks 1937

This is "Slush Banks," an undated print by Blanche Grambs. The blacks are so rich and deep, and they contrast with the whites, which are almost like a flurry of tiny marks. It's amazing how much she achieves with what looks like a pretty limited palette. Looking closely at the right-hand side, those architectural forms remind me of the futurist architect Sant'Elia. There's a real sense of weight and substance to those buildings, even though they're created with these very simple lines. Then, when you look at the sky, there's this incredible lightness and movement, which is almost the opposite. The mark-making describes a heavy, damp atmosphere; the kind of day when the air feels thick enough to drink. It’s interesting how the title of the work plays into this feeling. It’s the kind of print that stays with you, revealing new details and textures each time you look at it. Like a good conversation, it keeps opening up.