Early Modern and the Great Depression

 


Above is an oil painting by Edward Hopper, titled, Early Sunday Morning, completed in 1930. Edward portrays the small businesses and shops of Seventh Avenue in New York City after sunrise. Many think this painting perceives a day in The Great Depression. The streets are empty so businesses struggled to stay open. The Great Depression was the worst economic turndown in history, lasting from 1929 to 1939. Over the next few years, consumer spending and investment dropped, causing a drop in industrial work and employment as companies had to let workers go. The artist has been successful in giving the painting a gloomy mood. I feel Edward does this by the way he uses the light in this painting. This painting stands out because of the parallel lines seen in the building, barber pole, and fire hydrant. The colors used give a soft yet bold look to the painting. I feel like I can step into this painting and feel the quietness and depression surround me. 


Above is a painting called Young Corn, painted by Grant Wood in 1931. I was unable to find where this was painted. Grant was a leader in the art movement known as Regionalism. This painting illustrates a midwestern landscape and Wood's interest in painting rural areas. This painting shows rural workers on the field during The Great Depression. During The Great Depression farmers were forced to sell their farms and become migrant workers who traveled around from farm to farm to pick fruit and other crops at starvation wages. This painting is cartoon-like. There is also great depth seen in this painting by the different hills. Many lines were used in this painting, this can be seen in the direction the crops grow. The trees are very circular-like as well. 
Above is a painting by Barbara Stevenson, called Apple Vendor, painted in 1934. Barbara painted this for the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). This was a New Deal program created by the Federal government to give financial assistance and moral support to American artists during The Great Depression. In this painting an old man is sitting on the side of the street selling red and yellow apples for five cents a piece. In the background you can see the factory chimneys, and a woman and her son crossing the street. This painting portrays the industrial phase, with the factory in the background. This painting can symbolize optimism and hope of rebirth for America. 



Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 15, 2022 at 8:56 AM

    The first image I got a different sense when looking at it. I first thought of early morning around 5am before everyone is running around. The dark shadow is what made me think of the morning time. I definitely sensed that it was an older image based on the old style barber pole in front of the store. Without your dialogue I would not have thought about the Great Depression which I think is interesting how it can shift a perspective or mood!
    The second image immediately make’s me think of the Midwest farms. The long driveway and the rolling hills is why I think of Midwest United States and not anywhere else. I agree that it does feel cartoon like and the roundness’s makes the depth look extreme. I think without the added roundness this image would not connect with most!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 18, 2022 at 4:35 PM

    Hi Cati! I never realized the first two paintings were tied to the Great Depression, but it makes a lot more sense when you study the paintings themselves and notice the time period which they were made. I love the second painting by Grant Wood. You're right, it does look almost like a cartoon, it reminds me a lot of animation you would find in a children film today!

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