11:45 P.M. 1947

"11:45 P.M." is a 1947 woodcut by Letterio Calapai, depicting a bustling New York City street at night. Calapai's style is characterized by a dense, textured surface, emphasized here by the stark contrasts of black and white. The composition is a dynamic jumble of signs and figures, with billboards dominating the foreground. These signs, advertising everything from whiskey to horror movies, embody the city's vibrant, commercial energy, but also suggest the anonymity and superficiality of urban life. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, hinting at the city's underlying darkness. "11:45 P.M." is a powerful and evocative depiction of urban life in the postwar era, highlighting the tension between the promise and the reality of modern American life.