Benton contributed to the regionalism movement. He painted all over the Midwest, which is likely where this piece was created. He often used the plight of poor people, as well as African Americans as his subject matter. He liked to portray Americans doing their thing. Benton was commissioned during the depression to create large paneled murals for universities and government buildings. Some of his pieces are now being questioned today due to his depiction of KKK members in full regalia. He was also very opposed to abstract art (Artnet).

This piece is related to the great depression because it was created right in the middle of it. The great depression is associated with loss and sadness. However, this piece depicts a happy church event. The people do not appear to be well off, yet they are happy. Christianity was and remains very important to the people in the Bible belt states.

One of the aspects I like about this piece is the lighting off of the single lamp. It appears to be evenly cast and quickly diminished in intensity. The color use is also warm with the dresses worn by the women. It just looks friendly and easy to admire. The coloring is not complicated or busy. As the same time, there is a almost gritty detail in the clothing and floor. It helps me to imagine what it feels like- which I imagine is course. Lastly, the woman standing over the girl appears to be the main subject, though the title suggests it is about the girl. I wonder what the intention of this would be. My only thought is that it helps to show the sense of community that still remains strong during the depression.

Like the above piece, this was created during the great depression. Shahn also painted with his own style of realism. His works were inspired by the politics of the new deal and social injustices. This piece was likely pained in New York, where he lived. The idea of people going back to work was an incredibly motivating theme for Shahn. The meaning of this piece is to display how important American craftsmanship and trades are. Trained individuals who work are an incredibly important resource (Luong).

This piece is motivating to me. This type of work required long hours. It is hard and intensive. The only alternative was to starve. In that sense, I have great respect for these people- and I think that was one of the intentions of this piece. The coloring in this piece is very basic. The only detail appears to come from slight shading and specific use of brush strokes. In the background of the buildings skeleton, the detail is far less. It does help to create a sense of depth. I do like the simplicity of the shading and colors and how they build on one another. The rivet gun is the most detailed piece, which draws my attention to it. The man has a neutral expression- which is something I noticed about Shahn’s other pieces. I wonder if he likes to have the only emotion be expressed by the viewer.

Like the previous two pieces, this piece falls under realism. I am not sure where this piece was created, but it looks like it was not commissioned and was a piece done at home. Unlike the previous two pieces, it depicts hopeless despair. This man is facing hard times. Even the newspaper wording “Attack” leaves him unhopeful. There is nothing to look forward to in the future. Fogel was like many other artists that created works that the government commissioned in order to keep art alive during the depression. This piece depicts that day to day like was miserable for Americans (National Gallery of Art).

The detail in this piece is incredible. I really like the shading done in the clothing. It gives an incredibly rustic feeling to me. Even the plaid button up shirt shows some depth to it which is reinforced by the naturally curved lines of the pattern. The work ‘ATTACK’ in the newspaper is reverse, and I am not sure why that it. I do think it has some significance though, because that was intentionally done. There is not any lighting per say, but the mans left hand is incredibly white and not detailed. His shirt cuff is also not drawn. This makes me wonder if the piece is unfinished, because it looks odd and unfinished. Either way, I can feel this man’s despair. There is a sense of depth given by the continuance of the apartment complex behind the man, though it is not easy to notice. It may help to convey that there are many other people in an identical room and situation.

Art during the depression survived largely in part thanks to the federal government commissioning so many pieces. Realism flourished because there was a lot of subject matter. An artist would not have to look very hard in order to find the effects of the great depression. There was misery everywhere and that was conveyed through art. The first piece shows happiness and a sense of community. Some artists felt that showing it was still possible to be happy was important and I am glad they looked harder to find these scenes.

References:

Artnet. Thomas Hart Benton. 2019. Document. 12 July 2019.

http://www.artnet.com/artists/thomas-hart-benton/

Luong, Henery. SlidePlayer. 2019. Slide Show. 12 July 2019.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/5748230/

National Gallery of Art. Art and the Great Depression. 2019. Document. 12 July 2019.

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america/great-depression.html