Houston Street Burlesque

Lithography played a pivotal role in the Industrial Age by revolutionizing the mass production of printed materials. Its ability to reproduce intricate images and text with remarkable precision made it crucial for advertising, packaging, and information dissemination. This innovative printing technique significantly contributed to the rapid spread of knowledge, commerce, and visual culture during this transformative era.  

The lithograph print Houston Street Burlesque, made in 1928 by printmaker Mabel Dwight, is not only an innovation in printing technology in the industrial age, but also appeals to the liberated expressions of femininity of the 1920s. The roaring 20s represented a bold departure from traditional gender norms, young women embracing a more liberated and independent expression of femininity, characterized by shorter hair, shorter hemlines, and a focus on social and economic empowerment. The dancer depicted in the print towers among the encapsulated men, feeling pleasure in her own sexual performance, defining her own presence.  This act of female liberation was somewhat taboo at the time as it went against standard conventions, but Dwight dared to push these political boundaries. Dwight's unique depiction of the human form and the sketch-like nature of her prints also sets her apart in the world of lithography.