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Chop Suey
Although he had earlier paintings, sketches and drawings, this painting is his most widely-recognized. Hopper was known for painting disengaged subjects. It is believed that the intent of this work was to capture the loneliness and desolation of being one person in a very crowded city (Hopper's subject matter often took place in NYC where he lived).
https://www.edwardhopper.net/chop-suey.jsp -
American Gothic
Grant Wood's iconic oil painting of a brother and sister, who were modeled by the artist's sister and their dentist. The painting is one of the most recognizable paintings of the 20th century and has been on display around the world. Speaking to its timelessness is its continued replication in today's pop culture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic -
The Chrysler Building
An undeniably iconic structure, architect, William Van Alen designed the office building which was erected in New York City in 1930. The Chrysler Building was the tallest building in the city that year, serving as the Chrysler Corp.'s headquarters. Subsequently, it has appeared in movies like Annie with her infamous line, "to the top of the Chrysler Building." Likewise, it remains a significant piece of the Manhattan skyline today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building -
The Empire State Building
This infamous 102-story Art Deco skyscraper designed by architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon boasted NYC's tallest building until the erection of the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1970. Using New York's state slogan, "The Empire State" is how the building got its name. It draws millions of tourists every year and has been the site of innumerable movie and tv scenes with King Kong (1933) likely being the most famous of the Great Depression Era. -
It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got that Swing)
World-renowned jazz/swing composer and trumpeter, Duke Ellington wrote the song that played an integral role in the establishment of swing music in American pop culture. This song was not intended by Ellington to inspire Swing music, but it undeniably solidified the Swing music genre in American musical history. It remains a widely recognized song, appealing across class and culture.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/duke-ellington/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-swing -
Cow's Skull with Calico Roses
Georgia O'Keeffe's chronicle of a drought in the Southwest, appears to begin with this first of many paintings capturing the animal bones she collected while there. She was intrigued by what she believed was the beauty of the bones. However, the paintings also represent the the devastation of the Great Depression, which moved beyond human suffering. The painting is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/61428/cow-s-skull-with-calico-roses -
Self-Portrait Along the Boarder Line Between Mexico and the United States
Frida Kahlo's painting from 1932 remains one of her most celebrated. Its' relevance remains today as border tensions and immigration continues to be a source of suffering, as well as political debate. At the time that she painted this work, she was living in the United States. It is currently maintained by a private collector in New York City.
https://blog.musement.com/us/frida-kahlo-famous-paintings/ -
Brother Can you Spare a Dime?
Song written and composed by Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney, respectively. One of the most popular songs of 1932 and most-widely recognized of the Great Depression, it was performed and recorded by both Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee. The song was based on a Russian lullaby familiar to its composer, and captured the reality of the scene at New York's Central Park, where unemployed men were asking for money of passersby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother,_Can_You_Spare_a_Dime%3F -
Apple Vendor (by Barbara Stevenson)
This oil on canvas painting, housed in the Smithsonian Museum since the 1960s, was created through the Public Works Art Project, funded by the New Deal, designed to support artists during one of the darkest times in American History. The artist captures life as an everyday struggling American and serves as a record of the realities of life both then (and sometimes now). It captivates audiences with its vibrant color.
https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/apple-vendor-23048 -
Prometheus
Adorning Rockefeller Center, the statue, created by Paul Manship is a bronze sculpture measuring approx. 18 feet tall and weighs 8 tons. The ring through which Prometheus is falling with the fire represents his passing through heaven, to deliver it to Earth. The statue serves as the main attraction for Rockefeller Center.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_(Manship) -
Over the Rainbow
Another iconic song written by Yip Harburg and composed by Harold Arlen, which was later performed by the infamous Judy Garland in the movie classic The Wizard Oz. A song that has not only stood the test of time, but also has been replicated by other performers. Beyond that first performance in the Wizard of Oz, this song as reappeared at countless weddings, and has been performed by a multitude of performance artists.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Rainbow -
Migrant Mother (by Dorothea Lange)
Iconic 1936 photo of agricultural worker and mother of 7, Florence Owens Thompson, which captures the universal suffering of the Great Depression. Florence's car had just broken down. She told the tires to feed her 7+ children that day, who had been living on birds and frozen vegetables. Themes like hunger, poverty, desperation, family and resourcefulness are all universal, inspiring emotions such as sadness, empathy and compassion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Owens_Thompson -
Gone with the Wind
Margaret Mitchell's book was a best-selling and award-winning novel, which also endured its fair share of misogynistic criticism at the time that it was published. Most recently, it has received a resurrection of new criticism over its racist undertones. Nonetheless, the book has not only endured over time, but was adapted into a Hollywood screenplay and continues to be performed on stages around the country.
https://lithub.com/a-century-of-reading-the-10-books-that-defined-the-1930s/ -
"Life of Washington"
Part of the Depression Era's New Deal, Russian-born, self-described social realist, Victor Arnautoff, painted the mural series at San Francisco's George Washington High School. The murals cover the walls of the main hallway and the ceiling of the entryway. This particular panel has been the subject of controversy and a plan to remove it for its violent depiction of racism against American Indians and slaves.
https://livingnewdeal.org/the-life-of-washington-murals-explained/ -
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck's fictional story of two displaced migrant workers in search of the American Dream, is a literary masterpiece, which continues to be studied in classroom across the country. Although, it also finds itself the frequent target of challenge and censorship.
It has been adapted for film, stage, and even radio.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Mice_and_Men -
Cape Cod Evening
Edward Hopper, a widely recognized painter, mostly known for his oil paintings, but also talented in sketch and watercolor. This painting represents a different perspective of his earlier artworks of this Era. Likewise, it represents a compilation of earlier works on the subject matter of relationships.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Hopper
https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.61252.html#:~:text=Exit%20Reader%20Mode-,Overview,in%20the%20vicinity.%20.%20.%20. -
The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck's award-winning, best-selling, and "most parodied" book, captures what he perceived to be the cause of the Great Depression - greed. The book is still taught in high schools and colleges around country. It was also developed into a screenplay. Inarguably, the book has stood "the test of time."
https://lithub.com/a-century-of-reading-the-10-books-that-defined-the-1930s/ -
Wizard of Oz
A movie adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it was one of the original entries into the National Film Registry for its "culturally, historically, or aesthetic significance." This Technicolor movie is a American pop culture classic and one the most watched movies of all time. It continues to be performed on stages across the country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film) -
The Harp
Sculpted by African American artist, Augusta Savage, the piece is based off of James Weldon Johnson's song "Life Every Voice and Sing." It was commissioned for the 1939 NY World Fair and was demolished at its conclusion due to lack of funding. The sculpture depicts singers, wrapped in the hand of God.
https://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/wf_tour/zone-2/the-harp.htm -
Santa at the Map
One of the most famous Santa paintings of all time is this Norman Rockwell from December, 1939. Rockwell was infamous for his cover paintings for the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell is one of, if not the most famous artist of the twentieth century. His particularly wholesome photos seem to contrast significantly with the harsh reality of most Americans living during the Depression.
http://www.best-norman-rockwell-art.com/norman-rockwell-christmas-gallery-1930-1939.html
