Loading Bauxite c. 1935 - 1940

"Loading Bauxite" is a 1935-1940 etching by American artist Robert L. Benney (1904-2001). The artwork depicts a scene of industrial activity, likely taking place at a port. The central focus is a ship docked at a pier, with a crane loading bauxite ore, a key ingredient in the aluminum production process. Benney's use of stark lines and shading emphasizes the industrial setting and the hard labor involved. This etching is a compelling example of his keen observation of the American industrial landscape.