[Untitled]

Girl Ironing

Max Kahn

WPA Artist, Chicago Artist, Midwest Artist

1937

Black and White lithograph with an abstract image of a woman ironing clothes.

Edition number, Artist's Signature, and Date

Terre Haute, Indiana, United States of America

Printing Ink on Paper

13" x 9"

Permanent Art Collection, Indiana State University

Permanent Art Collection, Indiana State University

20 of 25

Post World War I Expressionism, Chicago Expressionism

The artist Max Kahn and his wife, Eleanor Coen, were popular teachers at the Art Institute of Chicago and many other art programs throughout the Midwest. They were known for their technical abilities in creating print editions. In addition, as long-term educators, they were responsible for developing student lithography skills for decades. Though the artwork presented may look rough and cartoonish—Kahn was known for his mastery of drawing and traditional lithography skills. Looking closely at “Girl Ironing,” you can see an economy using dark and light colors. The effect creates a sculptural, almost architectural look resulting in the portrayal of the figure—the rendering of the subject borrowing from and participating in an emergent European and American expressionism.

Black and White Lithography