Gropper at Work c. 1941

William Gropper made "Gropper at Work" using lithography, and you can see the process so clearly in the final piece. The marks and the layering of them reveal how the piece was made. The texture, color, and surface of this work are all part of its beauty. It’s not just about the image but how it comes to be. The grainy texture and subtle shifts in tone create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Look at the way Gropper uses light and shadow to define the figure of the artist, and the unfinished painting on the canvas. It’s like he’s capturing not just a moment, but the whole messy, beautiful process of creation. Gropper’s work reminds me a little of Honoré Daumier, another artist who used lithography to capture the grit and humanity of everyday life. Both artists understood that art is about more than just pretty pictures, it’s about telling stories, sparking conversations, and making us see the world in new ways.