Subway Construction, No. 2 c. 1937

"Subway Construction, No. 2," created by Jan Gelb in 1937, is a powerful black and white lithograph depicting a scene of construction work. Two figures, one standing and one sitting, are positioned amidst the dense materials of a subway construction site. Their postures and expressions suggest a sense of hard labor and perhaps, the arduous nature of their work. The piece embodies the artistic trend of Social Realism, which focused on portraying the lives and struggles of ordinary people, particularly those of the working class. The stark contrast between the light and dark areas adds a dramatic dimension, drawing the viewer's eye to the figures and their surroundings.