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John Brown 1938 20th Century 18 7/8 in. x 13 3/8 in. (47.94 cm x 33.97 cm) John Steuart Curry (Oskaloosa, Kansas, 1897 - 1946) Object Type: Print Medium and Support: lithograph Credit Line: Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arnold. 1982.039.004 Accession Number: 1982.039.004 Comments: Curry is recognized as a leader in the general art term called American Scene Painting (1931-1940). This is an umbrella term for the mainstream realist and anti-modernist style of painting popular in the United States during the Great Depression. Dominated by the Heartland and Midwest regions, American Scene was a reaction against the modern European style, it was seen as an attempt to define a uniquely American style of art. The American Scene basically consists of two main schools, the rural American Regionalism and the urban and politically-oriented Social Realism.  Curry's lithograph represents a blend of both but leans more heavily toward the politically charged aspect of Social Realism. The subject derives from the events in the life of John Brown (whose likeness is actually known from a photograph), a man dedicated to ending slavery in the 1850s. Brown did this through many efforts including giving land to blacks, financing anti-slavery pamphlets and, ultimately, killing pro-slavery supports. In 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal of Harper's Ferry that was defended by the Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He was wounded and held for trial on charges of treason. For this he was hung on December 2nd, 1859. Curry shows Brown in a symbolic pose, perhaps loosely based on Michelangelo's 16th century statue of Moses. As Moses parted the red sea with divine assistance, Brown is shown to have the fury of nature on his side. In other words, Curry's inclusion of the symbolic tornado behind Brown is a symbol that Brown's action to free slaves has the power of God behind it.

Keywords:

• American
• print
• figure
• narrative

Portfolio List
This object is a member of the following portfolios (click any portfolio name to view all objects in that portfolio):

• American Regionalism
• Introduction to Collection: Prints

Keywords:

• Artist:North American:American
• Class:Fine Arts:print
• Subject:figure
• Subject:narrative

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