Power is a central theme in Robert Longo’s work. Whether man-made–like the atom bomb–or natural–like a shark–Longo uses his art to explore the consequences of power. Perhaps one of the most ominous examples of the destruction created in the wake of unchecked power, Grable depicts a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb. The charcoal drawing exemplifies how man–and often, man-made progress–continues to defy nature, and the danger that comes when humans are at odds with the environment.

In 2005, American artist Robert Longo created Grable as part of his Lust of the Eyes series, which delves into the potent imagery of power and destruction. This work depicts the detonation of a nuclear bomb, referencing the test explosion "Grable" conducted by the U.S. military in 1953. Grable exemplifies Longo's ability to transform historical and environmental events into haunting, hyperrealist compositions that force viewers to confront humanity's impact on the natural world.