Where Are We Going? c. 1950s

Harold Persico Paris created this print titled "Where Are We Going?" using stark black lines on a light background, forming a dense crowd of figures that dominates the composition. The figures, rendered with heavy outlines and minimal shading, create a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The linear style emphasizes the angularity of the bodies and faces, stripping them of individuality. The lack of color focuses attention on the raw, expressive power of the lines themselves, which seem to both define and imprison the figures within their forms. The print uses a visual language that evokes existential themes of alienation and disorientation. The figures, seemingly trapped within the frame, raise questions about human existence and purpose. Paris uses the print medium to create a powerful, unsettling image. The starkness of the black and white palette and the density of the composition underscore the themes of despair and uncertainty. This leaves us contemplating not only where we are going, but also the very nature of our being.