2. An art movement in which artists used
murals, paintings, and photography to depict the lives of
the American people during the Great Depression in
both the rural and urban setting to bring hope to
Americans and to reveal the flaws of the American
system.
3.
4. Industrial Revolution
Realism
Ashcan School
Mexican Revolution
Great Depression
Wide gap between social
classes and lifestyles
Rise of Marxism
Invention of the camera
Government
involvement in the arts
26. Dorothea
Lange
“Migrant Mother”
“Bring the viewer to
your side, include
him in your
thought. He is not a
bystander. You have
the power to
increase his
perceptions and
conceptions.”
Revolutionary not because of technique but because of subject matter (ills of society)Multiple techniques: photography, murals, paintings, etchingsSubject Matter Includes: malnourished children, evicted families, jobless, people living in carsComes out of Realism in the 19th Century~ anti-Romanticism; disliked over emotion, just wanted truth and accuracyGoal: Have a truly American art movement; anti-European styleGrew out of wariness of World War I~ US wants to be isolated again
This is an Example of American Social RealismRural, and yet you feel the sense of the DepressionDepressing colorsLooks hopeless
Industrial Revolution lots of immigrants, poor working conditions and living conditionsRealism technique and subject matter being ordinary people; also Courbet big influence- “The Stone Breakers” Ashcan School talk about later but beginning of the movementInvention of Camera photography, people wanted to paint and make it look realistic; objectively realMexican Revolution Diego Rivera, Mexico wanted to build up the nation by placing murals on public buildings and encouraging nationalistic artGreat Depression subject matter, bad economy=bad mood of countryWide Gap btw Classes Upper class far above lower poorer classes; different jobs = more danger for lower classesRise of Marxism lots of artists during the movement were leftists; the Great Depression revealed the flaws of the Capitalistic systemGovernment Involvement b/c Great Depression a lot of the art at this time was funded by the government; art was encouraged and available to people of all social standings due to the murals and the public paintings; role of art became means of getting bread on the table
Early 20th Century realistsDocumented daily life typically in urban New YorkWanted to reveal truth about urban lifeDark in tone v. Impressionists light emphasisHarsher moments of lifeSubject Matter: butchered pigs, tenements, boxing, drunksThe Eight: William Glackens actually painted urban New York and plight of poorRobert Henri (starter) George Luks Everett Shinn John French Sloan Arthur DaviesErnest LawsonMaurice PrendergastNot an organized groupWork DIVERSE in terms of style and subject matter for the entire EightAre famous for the show they did in 1908 when they attended the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine ArtsShow was called Macbeth Gallery in New YorkEventually Ashcan group included Jacob RiisINFLUENCED MODERN ART! What was real and true in reality was what was beautiful and artTechniques~ loose and spontaneous style, not polished, paint applied thickly leaving strokes marks behindHISTORY MAKING EXHIBITION: first exhibition self organized and self selected group of artists with no jury or prizes became the model for the famous exhibits of Modern Art The Armory Show of 1914
Men in uniforms for low paying jobs, factory worker; hang out at bar after work; not very classy bar ~ ASHCANNot very polished and darker colors
Unique to American Social Realism 25% of work force unemployedFarmers dealt with drought, erosion, declining food pricesGovernment didn’t want the art world to stop, but to use the Depression as subject matter for paintings and murals to inspire people and to keep the artists occupiedArtists jumped at the chanceEstablish government agencies to create jobs and promote artNew Deal- FDR comes in and responds to the Depression by creating agencies to create jobs for the jobless AmericansCollege of Art Association created the Emergency Work Bureau1933 Public Works of Art Project created~ employed 3,749 artists Artists painted other government programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps doing their work: improving roads, nationals parks, etc.Documented the effectiveness of the government programsOthers painted “distractions” like entertainment and local activitiesSome went south and painted African Americans in the cotton fieldsAfrican Americans were painted as equals: portrayed their strength and dignity unlike previous paintingsSome painted the West- Native Americans, Southwestern landscapeThe artists didn’t use the same styles or techniquesAll artists brought patriotism and optimism through their workPresident very supportive of their work, took 32 paintings for the White HousePaintings were spread through Government Departments and local public buildings1960s paintings ended up in Smithsonian MuseumsTreasury Department had different sections devoted to different forms of art: sculpture, painting, and fine arts of Public Buildings Administration of the Fed Works Agency (1939-1943)Treasury Department awarded commissions to sculptors and muralists in post offices and federal buildings around the country because of the competition between artists1,116 murals, 301 sculpturesNONGOVERNMENT ARTISTS- sold to art dealers, collectors, and museumsGOVERNMENT CENSURE: no dives, no nudes, no social propaganda *(supervisors usually encouraged social concerned subjects!)*Easel work NOT heavily scrutinized; artistic and political freedomSocially concerned art b/c-Great Depression material conditions-artists heritage and background-propaganda-role of artistSubject matter usual American scene paintingActual Painting: This is a detail from a mural depicting agricultural workers that was painted by Carl Morris in 1942 after he won a WPA Federal Arts Project mural competition in 1941. It was installed in the lobby of the Eugene Post Office in 1943.THIS PAINTING!Very AmericanDone by the Treasury Relief Art ProjectDiverse PeopleTypical weekday evening; sympathetic view of daily riders under ManhattanMusician is in focus because her father was a musicianBusinessmen, factory workers, women all ride same subwayEmployment=hopefulLots of these paintings were about New York
1935 Works and Progress Administration had the largest positive effect on the country8 categories including photography, painting, and postersHeld exhibitions and even taught2,500 murals, 17,000 sculptures, 108,000 paintings, 200,000 printsTreasury Relief Art Project 1935-39 funded by WPA but run by Treasury Dept.446 artists created 10,000 easel paintings, 89 murals, 43 sculpturesFarm Security Administration commissioned photographers to photograph rural region conditionsOther Facts-artists free from pressures of what kind of art the elite patronage wanted; most pieces went to hospitals, schools, public buildings-artists unionized and protested layoffs-lots of artists painted their homelands because it was expensive to travel
General Description of an American Social Realism Artist; not all the same, but had similar motives and subject matterDiverse leftists: Marxism, Socialism, Communism, Humanitarians, etc.Some used art as a weapon for politics; propagandaLeftist viewsCommented on American life through artDepicted laborers and poor as heroicPolitical protest and satire in paintingsMany artists first generation AmericansGrew up in poorer neighborhoods; lots of ethnic tradition and cultureEducation: Educational Alliance (stricter, models, sculptures, diverse group, classes, instructors) and Education of Artists League (loosely run, anyone could join, no grades/requirements, common goal: learn to paint well)Mexican Artists: Diego Rivera Jose Clemente Orozoco more communist, American painters were more individualisticARTISTS SWITCHED FROM PAINTING FOR GOVERNMENT PAINING FOR WORKING CLASSArtists & Working ClassArtist Union Magazine called Art FrontArtists looked to working class for support paint working class achieved greater solidarity with workersArtists ask labor unions what they want painted response: battle of union recognition, anti-lynching, exploitation of women in dining rooms and kitchens, culinary industry, black discrimination, sacrifice, and fightingWhites and blacks painted as equalsTechnique: thick and heavy paint
Example of Artists’ WorksSatirical comment on rich; known for impaling the rich and powerful Have all the wealth but are unhappy
TWO SPECIFIC GROUPS of AMERICAN SCENE PAINTERS: REGIONALISTS AND SOCIAL REALISTSAfter World War I rejected modern trends and abstractionism; want academic realism Regionalists Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, and John Steuart CurryPositive subjectsInspire and give hope to peopleEmphasize American themes and valuesMostly RuralGoes back to a point in history Focuses on the brave American who went out into the wilderness to get the reward of the free landFamily scenes/good timesNo hint of sadness or depression“The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” 1931 Grant WoodHistorical heroic storyStory of America’s strength and heroismPaul Revere- regular man doing something heroicSubject matter was oppressed in this case, like during DepressionGive hope thought historical example through child eyesRocking horseToy-like housesBroccoli trees
Social RealistsUnintentionally supported Regionalists, but more political/ commentary and urbanCritical of societySocial problems focusUnattractive subjectsDepict the plight of labor force and poor UrbanIn painting man is uneducated (capital N is backwards)He is a farmer and he is protesting; he is a hard worker, he is dirty and he had strong hands and arms
THOMAS HART BENTON Born in Neosho, Missouri in 1889Son of a well- known Missouri politician and grandson of Missouri’s first Senator. Favored American themes Used a representational style- blend of modern and classical stylesVery outspoken and opinionated Liked to create almost distorted-looking characters and place them in scenes of dramatic tension.Believed that everything an artist does expresses his inner self and his mind. The less attention he consciously gives to his own feelings, the better the art he will create. Actual Painting: Creates a story to show the drama of illegal liquor trafficking during Prohibition. Circular composition to show the story in a cause-and-effect style. Corrupt man with top hat in the front left is paying a bootlegger pulling bottles out of a crate.Anonymous man in front right is loading more crates onto the plane. Another plane is in flight in the top leftIn the middle we can see a hold up going on right in front of the police officer, who is doing nothing to stop it. Above that, a train is powering through, most likely transporting more liquor. Intended to show how power is a corrupting force.
Started his career as a local cartoonistLeft the political atmosphere of his family to attend the Art Institute of Chicago Fascinated by the form of engines and liked to display them in his works.Respected 2-dimensionality at this point and pushed back his impulses to use more depth.
Oil on Canvas. As a child, travelled w/ his dad throughout the U.S.- exposed him to many different American experiences. Wanted his art to speak to Americans and stay true to the country’s history. Family roots caused him to develop a strong concern for American citizens, land and politics. Thought American history was very important & believed people were deeply tied to the stories of their ancestors. Story Behind the Painting:Agricultural Adjustment Administration part of FDR’s New Deal programsIt wanted to increase famer incomes by limiting supply and raising prices.By the time FDR signed the legislation, spring crops had already been planted. In order to accomplish their goal, they had to plow under 10.4 million acres of cottonLater, the AAA bought 220,000 sows and 6.2 million pigs that they then processed for fertilizer. People were angry about this, so a campaign against the Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace and Under-Secretary Rexford Guy Tugwell began.
During WWI, he served as an architectural draftsmen for the navy Returned to New York in 1919 and was commissioned to paint a mural for the New School of Social Research The mural renewed people’s interest in mural painting Lived in New York at a time of extreme industrial growth– many skyscrapers going upAmazed at the speed at which the country was growingThe energy of the city was a common theme in his works—provoked themes of movement and height in his images ACTUAL PAINTING: 1 of the 10 murals in the America Today collection for the New School of Social Research. Lot of movement throughout the image– lady flying on top right, hands reaching up in the top left. The eye is drawn in many different directions- creates confusion. Does this to symbolize the energy of city life. Everything about it seems very dramatic- the facial expressionsLiked to use Real People as models in paintings. Used homey details that show the country’s history.
Wellknown for patriotic murals This painting was commissioned by the American Tobacco Companyto connect people to the farmers who grew their tobacco. Every summer 1925-1928 explored the countryside, searching for inspiration. Many of his works display Western, rural settings. Depicted ordinary people as heroic- man seems like hero to the little girlLiked to deal with subjects from a MidWestern lifestyle.
Featured in the Whitney Museum Tried to project an image of strength and manlinessPresents the female in a Renaissance Michelangelo styleUsing a red, yellow, blue color theme that is common in his works. Based on the play A streetcar named desire- the play starts out in springtime, with a feeling of hope, but then moves to the recognition of reality as winter approaches. Deals with the main character’s internal struggle between illusion and reality. Portraying the a boys’ night out, with booze, betting, and women, in a nightmarish quality. The game of poker is an American symbol of blue-collar men
One of the first American artists to combine modern artistic principles with more classical principles. Also one of the first American artists to truthfully display domestic themes and subjects. Bridge between old academic and new modernist stylesTaught the famous Jackson Pollock
Ben ShahnBorn: Sept. 12, 1898 Kaunas, LithuaniaDied: March 14, 1969 New York City, New YorkOrthodox Jew Oppressed in Eastern EuropeJewish background prominent in work (immigrant experience)Jews were not fully assimilated into American society Shahn expresses vulnerabilityFamily migrated to Brooklyn in 1906Trained in US as a lithographer’s apprentice 1913-1917Education: New York University, City College of New York & the National Academy of Design in New YorkTheme of art: man and his life, what surrounds and affects himArt forms: murals, illustration, painting, posters, photography, and stained glassMid 1920’s socially conscious artist; depicted man’s inhumanity to manInfluences of Art: politics, tragedy, and mythEarly Work: political issues of the timeLater Work: loneliness of the city dweller
Becauseformer lithographer, numbers and letters madeway in his workLetters and numbers used to communicateGoal of Shahn to communicate through paintingsMan figure looms in the foregroundExpressive patterns on the diagonal railroad signLettering on signs used as an aesthetic device and a way to communicate“I loved using these signs as parts of paintings. Not only is there a certain structural character in letters-any letters- but there is also a flavor and a sense of place…I incorporated them in paintings as an integral part of the work, not as something separate.” Ben Shahn
First Major Painting: Sacco and Vanzetti 1931-32Sympathy for defendants (he too was an immigrant)Satirical bit (they are in suits, look respectable but on trial for robbery and murder)Emotional powerDiego Rivera discovered Shahn through the Sacco and Vanzetti success and hired himDid a mural together “Man at the Cross Roads” in Rockefeller CenterRivera’s idea of choice between Capitalism and SocialismBoth men concerned with social justiceCapitalism gambling & unemploymentSocialism holding banners & happy; Lenin featuredShahn used his photographs to help with the Capitalism side (violent)Rockefeller had change of mind; though offensiveDidn’t like Lenin and asked Rivera to replace with unknown manMural covered after completion; surrounded by mounted copsUprising in response but Shahn settled it downMoved to Jersey Homesteads 1936 (a Jewish community) to get away from pressures
1933 enrolled in New York City PWAP works on Prohibition EraPhotography1930s he took up photography with 35 mm Leica camera1932-1935 took street photographs of Manhattan neighborhoods1935-1938 worked for Farm Security Administration as photographer, artist, and designerIt was his dream job because he wanted to travel across Depression-ridden America1938-1939 Shahn & his wife created a series of panels for Bronx Post Office that depicted geographic America
Used photographs instead of sketches to paint Process: take photo add or subtract components finish paintingDirect relationship between artist and subject remained in tact
Graphic DesignAbstractionsIncisive linesIntensity of color
Dorothea Lange was born on May 26th, 1895 and died on October 11, 1965.Studied photography at the university of Columbia in New York City.Apprenticed under many photographers, including the famous Arnold GentheMoved to San Francisco after she finished school Forced the photography medium to respond to the world around her. Believed people needed attention Documented everyday people so that they could be seen by the world. Poor + suffering need to be heard/seenChildhood feelings of neglect by her father and mother (and due to her limp from polio) --- Commitment to showing the voicelessDidn’t have many friends as a teen, so she spent her time wandering the streets of NY- visual understanding of society
After the stock market crashed, people stopped buying photosGreat Depression compelled her to wander the streets, capturing the ways people reacted to their losses and strugglesShot people un-posed
TheFarm Security Administration liked her photos of the homeless, so they hired her to photograph for them. Influenced by her 1st marriage- to Maynard Dixon, who painted people and landscapes out west. Helped her impulse to expose the unseen.
Migrant cotton picker with cotton sack over shoulder, resting before returning to work. Paul Schuster Taylor– employee of California’s State Emergency Relief Administration – documented poor working & housing conditions of migrant agricultural workersSaw her photos, thought she could make his reports better with her photosTogether exploited the mistreatment of agricultural workers by large Californian landownersReport prompted the 1stgov-funded housing development
Report seen by Roy Stryker– director of the historical section of the Resettlement Administration. Hired Lange to document the ways the New Deal policies relieved the suffering of the poor Lange became the “virtual messenger” of the people. ACTUAL PHOTO: Farm Security Administration Rehabilitation Clients
ACTUAL PHOTO:Painful & embarrassing situation Her photograph gives the men significance– dark background with the focus on the man’s hat, hands, and the cup. Looks like he’s praying– we can feel the emotion of the photoBroke through gender barriers for women when an exhibit of her work was created in MOMA’s photography division Changed the way people understood the poor Awards have been set up in her name, including the Lange Fellowship for documentary photography and the Lange-Taylor prize for excellence in documentary studiesRemembered as the photographer of the people
Grant WoodBorn: February 13, 1891 Anamosa, IowaKeep in mind the fact that he lived in the MidwestDied: February 12, 1942 Iowa City, IowaFocus: Midwestern Regionalism; Leader of American RegionalismRegionalism recap:Wanted to give hope to peopleShed light on the strength and perseveranceAmerican’s HistoryLots of rural scenes painted with different styles and techniquesBackground:Parents wanted him to be a farmer, but decided to go into paintingStarted as an impressionist until trip to EuropeFather died moved to Cedar Rapids (didn’t like as much as countryside) Education:1913 took classes at Chicago Institute of ArtBecame a teacher at a junior highGot the chance to go to Europe 1920 went to Europe to study Impressionism Academie Julian Paris, France 1923Went to Germany influenced by German and Flemish 16th Century masters-sharp detail-realistic style-everyday people-simple-smooth/blended brush strokesWhile in Germany he did a stained glass piece (based off of his sister nan)(first big commissioning!) one of the largest stained glass windows 1927Developed his style in EuropeFirst painting “Woman With Plants”-of his mother-Midwestern background-didn’t get a great response
“American Gothic”Second PaintingTook it to Exhibition at Chicago Institute of Art~ won 3rd PrizeWay better responsePeople could relate/ Midwestern people loved itEasy to understand-hard cold realism people aren’t smiling, clothing looks real, 3-D, realistic setting, not just a solid color-unique to American art rural setting, around the time where 50% of the population lived on farms-earthly quality color-wise, not too bright, and people-wise not all dolled up or fake-preacher and daughter-based off of his family dentist B H McKeeby and his sister Nan -contrast between American farm life and middle ages gothic window behind itDisplaying of ArtLike other social realists, give art to regular people:-art in department stores-Carnegie Library’s Art Gallery -Little Gallery-Made murals for hotelsHad his studio at Turner Alley
Uniqueness-simple form (see it better in landscape paintings)-Midwestern rural landscapes-American History-used people that he knew (from surroundings and experience)-Midwest=good image of American character-Paintings reflected interrelationship of place and identity (goes back to him and his Midwestern identity)Contrast with Popular Art-not urban/cosmopolitan-1935 Essay by Grant Wood “Revolt Against the City”-defended Regionalism-thought Depression good b/c American art, not imitation European art-people broke so had to paint what was around themConnection to Great Depression ArtPublic Works of Art Project 1935-State Director for Iowa of the Program-Taught mural painting at the University of Iowa
Stress different stylesMovement not about technique but about subject matterAmerican MovementDifferent brush strokes, but same goalSofter colors, lots of blueCoastal setting
Example of styleLooks home-yPulls you inChildishCurve, too organic to be realUneven groundSoft colors
Uses great historical figures: George WashingtonGeorge Washington and the Cherry Tree~ lesson of honestyFairy tale looks (like Paul Revere painting earlier in slideshow)
Even Grant Wood can be Satirical-smug old women-unattractive and yet still extremely proud-upper class-petty-the women are actually the founding fathersTall skinny, JeffersonShort in front, WashingtonRight, Benjamin FranklinSome people believe that a lot more of Grant Wood’s works were satirical; some think that his paintings were more to make fun of farmers, but others thought of his paintings as honoring farmers
Political CartoonsInstallationsPhotographers give face to the faceless suffering populations around the worldGuerilla Poster ArtistsMagazinesMuralistsComic Strip ArtistsContemporary Realism– Uses brighter colors and lighter forms than American Social Realism but returns to the idea of depicting the everyday life of normal people. Children’s Books– Illustrators started using this style and being more realistic. Most famous Social Realist children’s illustrators are Holling Clancy and Norman Rockwell. Popular culture- Social Realist style used a lot in magazine adsSocial Criticisms in General:Pro-UnionAnti-McCarthyismAnti-NaziHolocaustVietnam WarMore recent depictions of tortureFeminismArtists took sides in their work (usually on side of oppressed) American Social Realism as a movement was stained by these partisan views and only recently has been redefinedWeapon of attackArtists invite audience to reflect on all sorts of social and political problems: environmentalism, economic injustice, racism, war, etc.Modern ArtFocus on subject matter and engaging the audienceNot point to make beautiful, but to spread the word about what is really going on; the truth*Norman Rockwell* “Christmas Homecoming” 1948
US drawn into WWIIArtists stop criticizing and join the war effortDesign posters, artists/journalists, or armyEuropean influence of Surrealism comes into US1960s really dies out
