Waterfront
c. 1935-1943
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
lithograph in black on wove paper
Dimensions
image: 266 x 352 mm sheet: 315 x 468 mm
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams
Accession Number
2008.115.4307
Art Historical Context
**Waterfront** by William, created around 1935–1943, captures the gritty essence of urban life through a striking black lithograph on smooth wove paper. Measuring266 x 352 mm (image) and 315 x 468 mm (sheet), this exemplifies the precision and tonal depth achievable in lithography—a technique where greasy crayon or ink is drawn on a stone or metal plate, inked to attract only the image areas, and transferred to paper under pressure. The monochromatic palette heightens the dramatic contrasts, evoking the moody atmospheres of industrial waterfronts during America's interwar years. Printed durin...