Chance Meeting — Martin Lewis

Chance Meeting


Martin Lewis (1881 - 1962)

Martin Lewis (1881-1962) was a celebrated American printmaker known for his evocative black & white etchings of New York City night scenes and rural landscapes. Explore his masterful depictions of urban life & Japanese influences.

Reading Public Museum (Reading, United States of America)

Explore art, science & civilization at the Reading Public Museum! Discover American masterpieces, ancient artifacts, and a stunning arboretum. A unique cultural destination for all ages.

Australian-born Lewis specialized in New York street scenes and became one of the leading printmakers in America in the years leading up to WWII. This shadowy street scene shows an encounter between a young man and a woman outside a newsstand. Light from the shop shines out into the sidewalk, illuminating the young man, whose hands are in his pockets. A prominent 7-Up sign looms above them, and in the window, a magazine titled “True Love” can be seen. In the background, a second pair of figures engages in a nocturnal flirtation.