as, Nebraska, and, of course, Missouri. His characters seem like cartoon characters and many are painted in scenes from pioneer days. The rich culture of the Midwest is shown in his artwork. Many of his works are mural size and were commissioned by state and local governments. Threshing Wheat is a typical example of his work from the 1930’s.
Another artist from the Depression Era is Georgia O’Keefe. Her style and work are well known by many Americans today. Her region was the southwest U.S., mainly New Mexico. Her work has both realistic and abstract characteristics. Many people are familiar with her flowers, but she also painted rural southern scenes. Her interest in the people of New Mexico and their rich culture is evidenced in her work. One example from this era is Taos Pueblo.
Dozens of other painters produced works in the Great Depression. The Federal Art Project Program was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help artists. The Program hired artists to paint, draw, or create works of art to be displayed in public buildings. Most of the work represented the Artists’ region or history of the United States.
(Grant Wood- Art Institute of Chicago)
(Home used – Grant Wood)
Thomas Hart Benton
University of Nebraska - Art
Art History of Missouri
(Office of Academic Affairs Indiana)
Georgia O’Keefe Biography
History of the US, The Great Depression
Prior to reading this article, the students should look up the following words. Parents/teachers can help younger students with definitions.
After reading “Art in Troubled Times” discuss the following
1. Imagine that you are a painter, what type of paintings would you paint of your hometown? Of your state? Think carefully and make of list of important details that must be included.
2. The Federal Government helped artists buy hiring them to do work, what other types of work could they do besides paintings? Make a list of other types of art work.
3. Using the library or Internet make of list of painters from different areas of the US. List their most famous works.
4. Find three or four paintings by each of the artists in this paper and study them carefully. Determine how you will recognize each artist again.
5. Draw or sketch a regional picture for your area. After you finish determine what makes it unique to your region.
6. American Gothic is often parodied. Find some examples and determine why it is so easy to copy. Research this painting, you will be surprised to find out who the models are that posed for this painting.
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