The Waiters Fight 1913

William James Glackens made this drawing, The Waiters Fight, with pencil on paper. The drawing feels so alive; the quick, scratchy marks make it seem like the action is unfolding right before your eyes. Glackens really captures the tension and drama of the moment with just a few lines. Notice how the dark, dense shading around the waiter standing up makes him seem imposing and aggressive, while the lighter, sketchier lines on the seated waiter give him a sense of vulnerability. The way Glackens uses these different marks really shapes the emotional impact of the drawing. There's something about the rawness of the drawing that reminds me of Daumier, but with a distinctly American flavor. Both artists shared a knack for capturing the grit and energy of everyday life, but while Daumier often focused on political satire, Glackens was more interested in the human drama of the city. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, with each artist building on the ideas of those who came before.