Lunch Counter c. 1935 - 1943

"Lunch Counter," a woodblock print by Minnie Lois Murphy, depicts a man in profile seated at a lunch counter, reading a newspaper. This American artist, born in 1901 and active in the 1930s and 1940s, is known for her black and white prints of everyday life. The print’s stark contrast and geometric forms create a sense of realism, while the composition captures the solitude and quiet contemplation of urban life. The "Lunch Special" sign and the man's posture evoke a sense of time passing.