The Great Depression is a great epoch in American history. It was when the economy in the United States, Europe, and other industrialized countries in the world collapsed. From 1929 to 1939, the world was at a standstill economically. After World War I the United States aided many countries financially to help recover from the war and when the stock market crashed, millions of people lost their savings and livelihood. The Great Depression resulted in the election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. President Roosevelt developed programs to help boost the American economy and decrease the high unemployment rate. Roosevelt implemented what was called the “New Deal” where several programs were created to help people find jobs. One of the many programs created in the New Deal was the cultural projects. American Modernism was one of the many art movements created during this period. American Modernism continues with the fad of breaking away from traditional techniques and finds its home between WWI and WWII and continues into the 21st century
George Biddle, Sand!, 1936, lithograph
This work of art was created by George Biddle in 1936 titled “Sand”. There is the idea of abandonment and delipidated scenery. When looking at this piece you may notice that the “horizon line, gathering storm or dust clouds, and the use of the wagon wheel motif, which may symbolize the halt of progress and inability to move on from difficulties.” In addition, the livestock shown as dead gives the idea that they were left and abandoned. You can see the texture as well as contrast throughout this piece as well as the different shading present with the grayscale gradient. These bring the work to life as well as create an intense mood. This piece is not one of my favorites because it is sad and tragic, but the Great Depression was sad and tragic so it represents the period perfectly.
Jacob Kainen, Federal Art Project (New York City), Drought, 1935, lithograph
My second piece was created by Jacob Kainen in 1935 and titled “Drought”. This work of art illustrates the environmental devastation that occurred during the Great Depression. A few signs you can see in this piece that indicate the farm is struggling include the twisted tree, the farmer's body language of being heavy and beat down, and the overall emptiness of the farm. I feel that this one is my personal favorite of the others because I like the details you can see throughout this entire piece. The texture and shading throughout this piece gave it life. You can see the bark texture on the tree and the wood texture in the structure behind the man. The man's clothes look dirty but soft as if you were actually seeing the shirt in real life.
“Abandoned” – Millard Sheets. 1933. Oil on canvas.
The final piece was created by Millard Sheets around 1933 and titled “Abandoned”. This piece is a painting of an abandoned farm that symbolizes the Great Depression. Throughout this work of art, you see contrasting colors of bright white and dark blues and greens being used creating the scene of chaos. I like how this painting is split, the top of the painting is the above-ground level where everything looks to be normal and fine and at the bottom, there is chaos and loneliness. The sweeping brush strokes add to the chaos and disorder and make the painting seem like a bad dream someone is having. You also have the lone wolf howling for his pack to be reunited which adds to the abandonment and loneliness sensation coming from this painting. I like the colors used because they bring life to the painting and unlike the other two, I think color adds more to the effect that the artist is trying to portray. Black and white paintings usually come off a little dull for me compared to something with actual color.
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I like how in depth into the history you go in this blog. It is interesting to learn about the struggle of the people. However, I am not a fan of this movement of art. I do like the detail in the works, but overall I am not a fan. This is just my personal preference as I like brighter, happier works.
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