Subway Construction, No. I 1937

"Subway Construction, No. I" is a lithograph by American artist Jan Gelb created in 1937. The artwork, a black and white depiction of a construction worker standing near a large piece of machinery, captures the gritty reality of urban development. Gelb's use of bold lines and dramatic contrasts effectively conveys the powerful presence of the machinery against the shadowy backdrop of the construction site. The worker's stoic posture, partially obscured by the machine, emphasizes the human element amidst the industrial landscape. This piece is a testament to the social realism movement that flourished during the mid-20th century, highlighting the lives and struggles of working-class people.