SOCIAL REALISMBy: Menn Chen and Rachel Dazer

DEFINITION/BACKGROUND

Art movement that emphasizes everyday conditions of the working Midwestern middle class and the poor.

Depression era Started in the 1930s

ORIGIN

Ashcan School Documented everyday life in New York City Urban street settings and unglamorized

paintings Challenged impressionists and social

academics

GRANT WOOD

Born 1891 in Anmosa, Iowa Influenced by his small farm town Used people he knew as subjects in his

paintings Died in 1942

GRANT WOOD

“American Gothic” 1930

Most famous/recognized

Many symbols Reactions

GRANT WOOD

“Stone City, Iowa” 1930

Reality vs. Fantasy

“Woman with Plants” 1929

Grant’s mother

“APPRAISAL” 1931

THOMAS HART BENTON

Born in 1889, died in 1975 Influenced by muralists like

Diego Rivera Closely associated with

Regionalism

“A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI” 1936

INDIANA MURALS 1933

“Parks, the Circus, the Klan, the Press”

“THE WRECK OF THE OLE '97” 1943

DOROTHEA LANGE

Born in Hoboken, NJ. (1865-1965) Documentary photographer during the Great

Depression and World War I. Struggled physically and emotionally growing

up. Worked for the Farm Security Administration

(FSA). Photography focused on the hardships people

suffered and the emotions behind it.

“MIGRANT MOTHER” (1936) DOROTHEA LANGE

“ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE” (1942) DOROTHEA LANGE

MIGRANT COTTON PICKER” (1940) DOROTHEA LANGE

ANDREW WYTHE

Born in Chadds Ford, PA. (1917-2009) Homeschooled growing up. Parents supported his interest in art. Paintings are very focused in detail and

composition. Paintings either done in Chadds Ford, PA or

Cushing, ME. In 1945, his father and nephew died in an railway

accident. It had an impact on his paintings. Has over 300 paintings in total.

ANDREW WYTHE’S PAINTING STYLE Realism and Regionalism influence. Used egg tempura and the dry brush technique

for most of his paintings. Egg Tempura: raw egg yolk mixed with vinegar,

water, and pure powdered vegetable. Provides depth of color. Dry Brush Technique: tiny amount of damp paint

is applied to a brush and then every detail is painted lightly.

Drawn Effect. Color Palette: mainly good, blue, charcoal, and

brown.

“CHRISTINA’S WORLD” (1948) ANDREW WYTHE

“BRAIDS” (1977) ANDREW WYTHE

“PENTECOST” (1989) ANDREW WYTHE

REACTIONS

Reacted rather positively. People could relate to the subject and

emotion of the artwork. More aware of what was going on in other

parts of the U.S.

INFLUENCE

Social Realism has a big impact in today’s society.

Photography considered as a form of art. Appears in press, digital media, and popular

culture. Media covering major events.