Swift in the Moonlight 

Max Kahn made "Swift in the Moonlight" using lithography, a printmaking technique that allowed for the creation of multiple original images. With its rough marks and stark contrasts, this artwork reflects a fascination with the primitive that was popular among twentieth-century artists. Made in the United States, this image evokes the cultural narratives of the sea, with the boat referencing a long history of maritime activity. But its rough finish also resists the commercialization of the seascape and calls to mind, instead, the hardship of life at sea, and the importance of labor to U.S. national identity. We might look at other visual representations of boats from this time, as well as literature, advertising, and work songs to better understand the image's cultural connotations. By drawing on a range of resources, the art historian considers how meaning is shaped by social and institutional context.