Masse Shot 1940

Carl Hugo Beetz created this print, Masse Shot, using lithography, a process dependent on the mutual repulsion of grease and water. The artist would have drawn the image on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon or ink. Notice how this process lends itself to the image's grainy texture, and sharp contrast between light and shadow. These qualities perfectly capture the atmosphere of a dimly lit pool hall, dense with anticipation. Lithography enabled the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, making art accessible to a wider audience, and reflecting the democratizing spirit of the era. Beetz shows us a momentary glimpse into the lives of working-class people, finding leisure and perhaps a bit of excitement in a game of billiards. Ultimately, prints like Masse Shot remind us that art is not just about the final image, but also about the processes, materials, and social contexts that shape its creation and reception.