Martin Lewis, Relics (Speakeasy Cormer), 1928

Martin Lewis, Relics (Speakeasy Corner)
drypoint, 1928
Philadelphia Museum of Art
(image source: Messy Nessy - Cabinet of Chic Curiosities)
no copyright infringement intended

From many other etchings made by Martin Lewis, for me this was the one. It got me hooked, like love at first sight. It has an irresistible Americana quality: a street corner somewhere like anywhere. It could be New York, as it could be Baltimore or Philly. It could be Chicago, as it could be Detroit or Milwaukee, I don't know. And actually any localization would be of no importance. A  quiet evening, just a few people hurrying home. A car that could be just passing, or could be stopped here on purpose. A small store like a deli or something, that could be actually the entrance to a hidden, illegal spot, like a speakeasy bar.  And the dude staying in front of the entrance, maybe to accept patrons who whisper the code word. The whole has some kind of a menacing presence. The prohibiton era has long gone, such street corners are still here and there.


(Martin Lewis)

Martin Lewis

Martin Lewis
1881-1962
(source: SAAM - Smithsonian American Art Museum)
no copyright infringement intended

Australian-born American etcher, most famous for his black and white prints, mostly of night scenes of non-tourist, real life street scenes of New York City (wiki); a highly skilled printer, an acknowledged master of the intaglio techniques of printmaking, experimenting with multiple processes including etching, aquatint, engraving and drypoint, he created magnificent impressions that captured the energy, bustle and occasional solitude of all aspects of city life in New York (Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT); he died in obscurity, largely forgotten after the Great Depression took away the demand for his craft; history chose Edward Hopper, but Martin Lewis was his mentor (Messy Nessy - Cabinet for Chic Curiosities);; I will come with more, but for now please watch this youTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0308UDCa4U

• Relics (Speakeasy Cormer), 1928

(The Moderns)