Strong Girl

Art Historical Context

**Strong Girl**, an etching and drypoint by Kuhn from around 1915, captures the bold spirit of American vaudeville performers during a transformative era in U.S. art. Kuhn, a key organizer of the groundbreaking 1913 Armory Show, fascinated by the raw energy of and circus life. This print likely depicts a "strongwoman," a popular act showcasing female physical prowess amid the cultural shift toward modernism and urban entertainment in early 20th-century America. The medium—etching combined with drypoint—highlights Kuhn's mastery of printmaking. Etching creates precise lines through acid on a metal plate, while drypoint's direct needle scratches produce a soft, velvety burr, adding texture and depth to the figure's muscular form. Measuring 280 x 134 mm on a 282 x 242 mm sheet, this intimate work exemplifies how prints democratized art, allowing wider access beyond paintings. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Reba and Dave Williams Collection, *Strong Girl* reflects Kuhn's realist style, blending European influences with American vernacular subjects. It invites visitors to appreciate the unsung heroines of popular culture, bridging fine art and everyday spectacle.