“Age of Anxiety,” created by Ben Shahn in 1953, is an exemplary work of Expressionism and Social Realism, encapsulated in an allegorical painting. The artwork articulately captures the turmoil and existential angst emblematic of the post-war era.
The artwork presents a vivid scene populated by a cast of distinct characters, each seemingly consumed by their own introspection and emotional states. The background features an arching pattern of vibrant, yet somewhat disorienting, shapes and colors that create an atmosphere of unease. On the left, a seated figure appears lost in thought, while directly beside them stands a somber figure cloaked in dark attire, exuding a palpable sense of sorrow or foreboding. At the center, a woman in a red dress, striking a bold and assertive posture, contrasts sharply with the more subdued figures around her, suggesting a complex interplay of emotions and states of being. The right side of the artwork reveals another figure, apprehensively clutching their hands, further enhancing the painting’s narrative of anxiety and introspection. The floor, composed of abstract, patchwork-like tiles in shades of blue and purple, adds to the overall discordant and anxious tone of the artwork.
