Blighted Homes [verso] c. 1948

Dox Thrash made this print called ‘Blighted Homes’ at some point in his career, but we don’t know exactly when. There’s a real sense of process here. You can imagine Thrash working with the plate, wiping away areas to create light and shadow. The aquatint gives it a grainy, almost photographic feel, but it’s all done by hand. Look at how the light seems to be both revealing and concealing the buildings. The dark areas aren’t just absences of light, they’re active, they feel like they’re pushing forward. And those patches of light? They’re not gentle, they’re almost harsh, highlighting the texture of the walls, the rough edges of the roofs. In the foreground, the washing line seems to be both part of the scene, and a barrier, almost obscuring our view. You know, art is this ongoing conversation, right? This reminds me a little of some of the darker etchings of Goya, especially in its mood. But Thrash brings his own sensibility to it. It’s not just about the literal depiction of blighted homes, but about evoking a mood, a feeling. It’s art that doesn’t give you easy answers. It makes you feel.