The artwork, titled “Changing West,” was created by the artist Thomas Hart Benton in 1931. Executed in tempera on canvas, this piece is a notable example of the Regionalism art movement and belongs to the genre painting category. The painting is part of the “America Today” series, and it is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork provides a dynamic tableau that captures various aspects of technological progress and the industrialization of the American West. It features a variety of scenes including workers engaged in different tasks, from welding large pipes to operating machinery. The background includes representations of oil derricks, windmills, and airplanes soaring through the sky, signifying the era’s rapid advancements and modernization. The vivid and intricate portrayal of labor and mechanical innovation exemplifies Benton’s focus on everyday life and the transformative period of early 20th-century America. The combination of strong, defined lines and vibrant colors brings a sense of vigor and movement to the composition, emphasizing the changing face of the American landscape.
