What is regionalism in art?

Regionalism (1930 to 1935 AD)

During the Great Depression, many American artists rejected urban and modern art movements and went back to traditional paintings and using art as a form of storytelling. Regionalism was born. The artists so they can be enjoyed by a larger audience. The art depicted rural and rustic America, particularly the Midwest and the Deep South, and was appreciated for the positive images it created during a hard time.

What regionalists tried to do was to create something distinctly American, and rejected the idea of abstraction. So they painted the rustic world around them – farmers, ranches, the atmosphere, small cities, everyday life and generally imbibed American culture and traditions into their art. Three artists were at the forefront of this movement – Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton.

Unlike other art movements that had a manifesto and agenda, Regionalism developed rather organically. It was a natural response to a situation, and this is probably also why it didn’t last long. At the end of World War II, Regionalism lost its status. There was peace and prosperity and the upcoming Cold War also changed the political and social situations, which led to the movement’s decline.

Examples

American Gothic: This 1930 piece by Grant Wood is instantly recognisable as one of America’s timeless works of art. It shows an aloof couple, where the man stares straight at the viewer at the while the woman looks at the frame.

The People of Chilmark: Thomas Hart Benton summered in the Chilmark area of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where he found several inspirations to paint – from waves and boats to dramatic skies and people. “ The People of Chilmark” was one of his works there, and it featured family and friends busy with several activities from boating to playing basketball.

Baptism in Kansas: Painted in 1928 by John Steuart Curry, this painting depicts a baptism in a water tank. The sky has a dove and raven, a reference to the birds Noah first released from the Ark. The painting has spiritual and religious significance.

Wow facts

  • All three artists of the Regionalist movement studied in Paris and grew to create art distinctly American. They believed that the solution to the Great Depression and all of America’s problems was for it to return agrarian roots.
  • Regionalism became a bridge between abstract and realistic art, so much so that following this movement came the intense and daring Abstract Expressionism. This is similar to how Impressionism was a bridge between academic art and post-Impressionism.

 

Picture Credit : Google