Martin Lewis

Known for his masterful prints and paintings, Martin Lewis created pieces that were infused with real-life moments, ambiances, and moods drawn from New York City and rural Connecticut. Among the most important chroniclers of urban life, Martin Lewis has earned the distinction of being one of the finest of the genre. The artist also exhibited his works on canvas and considered them superior to paintings in terms of the exploration of human activity and relationships. His vibrant paintings and drawings of New York reflect the energy and vitality of city life, which he captured with optimism and positivity. A large amount of brushwork and a highly atmospheric style characterize his work from this period, demonstrating his knowledge of tonalism, impressionism, and pictorial photography. 

In an attempt to capture the mundane details of everyday life, he refused to adopt the trend towards abstraction and remained a devoted Realist. A number of his works depict drizzly, damp evenings filled with dancing light, such as Passing Freight and Trumbull Street. There were very few printmakers of his generation whose works focus on nocturnal subjects. The subtlety of his handling makes his print Glow of the City one of his most noteworthy works. He used his technical bravura in Williamsburg Bridge, East Side Night, and Chance Meeting to create a dramatic lighting scheme that would later be found in film noir in the years that followed. In contrast to his American contemporaries, Lewis' tonal characteristics were distinctive and unique. He was dubbed the "master psychologist of the megalopolis" by a commentator for his penetrating cityscape illustrations. 

A few of Lewis' most notable attributes were his eye for detail, his technical brilliance, particularly in dry point, and his dedication to ensuring strict technique compliance. Etching was his preferred method of producing all detail as opposed to using inks afterward in order to manipulate the results. Some of the best-known Martin Lewis etchings were produced between 1925 and 1935. One of America's top printmakers of the twentieth century, he portrayed adverse weather conditions and obscure lighting with great skill and a keen sense of composition. By experimenting with the contrast of light and darkness in a black palette, Lewis portrayed the diversity of New York City in the 1930s in intricate detail. The prints he created depict scenes of commerce, industry, and the life of immigrants in New York City. The works of Martin Lewis have once again attracted the interest of collectors in recent years. The recent auction of Martin Lewis artist's work has set new auction records, despite the fact that most of his work is in museums and private collections. View more of his works on Bidsquare online auction that are uplifting and absolutely stunning.