The Influence of The Great Depression
The Great Depression had a great influence during the Early Modern Era. Not only was The Great Depression the longest and most severe Depression, its impacts were felt all over the world (Art 200x Text). During the Early Modern Era, art was subjected to both distraction and action thus causing inspiration for a variety of arts. Campaigns, advertisements, and even performing arts of the time period can often be seen as a reflection of The Great Depression and the state that the world was in.
Apple Vendor, oil painting by Barbara Stevenson, 1933, USA
Barbara Stevenson created the painting above for the Public Works of Art Project, a New Deal program created by the federal government to help support American artists during The Great Depression (SAAM). The painting captures what everyday life was like for many Americans at the time, doing what they can to get by. In this case, a man sits on the corner of the street selling fruit pies. His body language gives me the idea that he feels defeated or tired of this exhausting yet never ending lifestyle. Although Apple Vendor reflects a darker subject matter, the vibrant colors drew me to present this specific piece. I can tell by the lighting that it's later in the day and perhaps the man has been sitting there for hours and hours. The composition of having the man upfront and center makes him the main focal point of the painting. I also find that there's a sense of wonder in the piece because of the two figures in the background; a mother and child. What did their life look like during this time?
In The Crowd, lithograph by Mabel Dwight, 1931, USA
In the painting above, we see a cluster of six Depression-Era figures with drooping, tired faces. Done completely in black, grey, and white, the entire piece serves an overall dooming sensation. These are the faces of the consequences of The Great Depression. The tone throughout the piece allows for the dark eye bags of each figure to stand out. The tone also casts the shadows onto their faces coming from their hats. I find the lines in the piece to be rigged and repetitive. The composition allows for each figure to be analyzed and examined even though there are more prominent figures than others. Overall, In The Crowd makes me feel sympathetic towards those effected by The Great Depression which I believe was it's intended purpose. Dwight wanted the viewer to feel and experience the emotions that the people at the time had to endure.
Nighthawks, oil painting by Edward Hopper, 1942, USA
Edward Hopper's work often represented the loneliness in being surrounded by people. Although Nighthawks may not be directly associated with The Great Depression, I felt as though the subject of his paintings represented the time period well. In the painting above, we can see a few people gathered in what seems to be a bar. There is a couple engaging with the worker and a man sitting alone. The man sitting alone is the focal point to me and the main subject of the painting despite his back being turned to the viewer. The emotions of isolation and sadness emitted from the single man reflect what living during The Great Depression felt like. I love the use of color and tone to depict light in this piece. The bright light coming from inside the bar is seen reflecting through window and onto the dark street. I also appreciate the overall softness in Hopper's work due to his effortless seaming brushstrokes and lines. The more complicated composition of the offset building while still having the singular man remain in the center adds to the focal point being the man and is more interesting to look at as compared to having the building be facing straight on.
Sources
“Early Modern Content.” Art 200x, 17 May 2021, https://art200.community.uaf.edu/early-modern/.
“Apple Vendor.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/apple-vendor-23048#:~:text=Barbara%20Stevenson%20painted%20Apple%20Vendor,artists%20during%20the%20Great%20Depression.
Hi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI liked the art that you shared in your blog. I would not like to own the paintings or the lithograph because they all have a sense of sadness to them, but I like how the artists were able to depict the sadness of the Great Depression so well. I like how the Apple Vendor, by Barbara Stevenson was created, where the man selling fruit is shown to be looking downwards in a sad manner as he is selling apples. Barbara does this, as you had explained, so we can see that he is depressed and that he is trying to do what he can to earn some money. I feel like Barbara uses some darker blacks and grays in the painting so that it looks more depressing, helping the man look even sadder.
I like how Mabel Dwight made the people in the lithograph, In The Crowd, look sad to show that most everyone was sad during the Great Depression, since it was a hard time for the people of that time. I would agree with you, that the shadows were used in the lithograph to create a sense of sadness, but it was also used to make the painting look more realistic. It also allows us to know where the sunlight is coming from, where the sunlight is coming from above and in front of the people. The sun is not directly in front of them, but it was set off to the left when we are looking at the lithograph.
I liked how Edward Hopper was able to do such a good job of depicting the man as being sad and lonely in the painting, Nighthawks. I like how Hopper used dark colors to depict the lonely guy as having a huge shadow on his back, to show that he is sad and depressed. This does a good job of showing that the Great Depression was sad and hard for people. I would also like to point out, though, that the people in the back are having a good time talking with one another, as you had explained, which can be used to show that people can have fun at times, despite going through a rough period of time.
The “Nighthawks” is such an iconic piece, learning the history of it changes the perspective on how it’s now referenced in pop culture as a reproduction of the scene. A striking part of this piece is Hopper’s ability to give the glass translucence with the oil paint.
ReplyDeleteWhile this piece was created during the recovery from the Depression, I’d also agree that it does indeed represent the effects of the Depression through the economic decline on businesses as well as the struggles faced by the middle class. As Hopper is an American Regionalist artist, the piece is not overly dreary when compared to other artistic styles during the Depression, namely American Realism that darkly portrayed the people’s struggles from the Depression.
ReplyDeleteHi Allison! I agree that art was very influential during the Great Depression. It served as a weapon against social injustice. It dramatically transformed the economy, like businesses and employment opportunities that created poverty and homelessness. However, the artworks can also show resilience and motivation that people will eventually rise from adversity.
You provided great paintings depicting the Great Depression, especially the second image. You can see the misery on the people's faces. It was a difficult time when workers went through hardship and struggles from losing their jobs. I admire Mabel Dwight's artworks. She is excellent in lithography despite being deaf. I've included a link to her works. Thank you for sharing!
https://americanart.si.edu/artist/mabel-dwight-1373
"The Nighthawks" is an absolute favorite of many. Its seemingly benign subject matter that manages to cause such deep emotion is intriguing. I enjoy how you pointed out that the main subject of the painting is the one person within the restaurant. We don't see facial features or expressions, yet we feel the most emotion. Indeed, art can still inspire a response without giving the full details of a scene. These pieces influenced by the Great Depression were intelligent choices for your exhibit, chosen both for the details and intrigue. Your second choice, if you look closer, is among the many different types of artistic style; you can see a stark contrast to the form used in the portrayal of society. Precisely, the hollowed cheeks and circles around the eyes, artists truly captured the ability to reflect trauma through their subjects during this period. The changes between classical style art and Early modern are both essential and shocking in most aspects. Great Job this week!
ReplyDeleteJasmine
I greatly enjoy the Nighthawks painting and I think it was interesting how you tied it to the Depression with the visual influences and mood. I feel it would be interesting to do more research about the artist and if that was one of their influences in creating the piece. Good post!
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