Delousing by David Burke

Delousing c. 1939

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drawing, print, graphite

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pencil drawn

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drawing

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print

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pencil drawing

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graphite

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cityscape

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modernism

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realism

Dimensions: Image: 407 x 304 mm Sheet: 510 x 393 mm

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

David Burke made this print, “Delousing,” using some kind of etching technique. Look closely, and you can see the marks are actually tiny, close-knit lines that build up to create a sense of volume, depth, and, well, destruction. The whole image is pretty monochromatic, various shades of gray achieved through the density of lines. I love how the texture feels both precise and chaotic. The sky is a frenzy of strokes, contrasting with the more controlled rendering of the buildings. The wrecking ball itself—suspended mid-swing—is built from a cluster of radiating lines which give it a real weight. You can almost feel the vibrations from the impact. It reminds me of Piranesi’s etchings of ancient ruins, but with a modern, almost dystopian twist. Both artists share an interest in portraying decay, but I think it’s Burke’s emphasis on texture and line that really hits home. It’s not just about seeing the destruction, but feeling the grit of it.

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