“City Child (Air in the City No. 2)” is an artwork crafted by Will Barnet in the year 1938, utilizing the medium of lithography on paper. This piece hails from the United States and is associated with the Social Realism art movement. Categorized under genre painting, the artwork offers a glimpse into ordinary urban life, as is customary for the genre.
The artwork depicts an intimate interior scene of a room where a child is positioned, looking outward through a window. The lithograph captures the essence of city life through the eyes of the child, who is seated beside a bed or a table, partially covered by a cloth. The window frames a view of rooftops and chimneys, indicating an urban setting. Furniture, such as a chair, is placed in the room, enhancing the everyday nature of the scene. The artist’s meticulous use of shading and line work intensifies the atmospheric quality of the setting, evoking a sense of contemplation and narrative in the viewer. The overall composition and mood reflect the stylistic elements of Social Realism, emphasizing the mundane yet poignant moments of life in the city.
