Slate and Smoke c. 1935 - 1943

"Slate and Smoke" is a lithograph created by Beatrice Mandelman, a prominent American artist, between 1935 and 1943. The print depicts a rural scene, likely in the American Midwest, with a single figure walking along a railroad track that passes in front of a small, industrial town. The scene is dominated by a dark, billowing cloud of smoke that rises from a factory in the distance, highlighting the growing influence of industry on the American landscape in the mid-20th century. Mandelman's use of black and white creates a stark contrast, drawing attention to the stark reality of the industrial age. The oval shape of the print adds a sense of intimacy and focus to the scene.