Waterfront 1936

Stow Wengenroth made this lithograph called "Waterfront" sometime in the 20th century, conjuring a world with shades of gray. The beauty in this print lies in how Wengenroth coaxes so many tones from the lithographic stone, building a detailed world of tiny marks. Look at the dark sky, it feels heavy, right? You can sense the weather coming in off the water. Then notice the texture of the wood, the way the light catches on the boats. It makes me think of Whistler, someone else who was interested in the poetry of place, especially when it comes to dockyards and harbors. But Wengenroth brings his own sensibility to it, a kind of humble appreciation for the everyday. It reminds us that art isn't always about grand gestures; sometimes, it's about paying attention to the quiet corners of the world.