Artist Aaron Bohrod’s Landscape Near Chicago, created in 1934, depicts a man working on a car in an unkempt yard in front of a deteriorating house. The oil painting on composition board measures 24 1/4 × 32 1/4in. (61.6 × 81.9 cm) and is classified as part of the Paintings collection with accession number 34.13.
The work is an exemplification of the Realist movement where attention to detail plays a significant role to capture reality and accuracy to real-life scenes through exact portraits or landscapes gives the sense of authenticity that boomed worldwide, primarily during the mid-20th century. The artwork portrays the gloomy atmosphere of depression-era rural houses with its decaying façade and primitive design that reflects life struggles resulting from economic downfall during those times. This piece displays Aaron Bohrod’s vast skill in rendering subjects with precision and accuracy by creating dynamic contrasts between bright colors, making use strong brushstrokes together with fine details.
Bohrod was known for his diverse range of work spanning different art movements such as realist figures in cityscapes, landscapes, surrealism, and trompe l’oeil paintings. His reputation as a versatile artist preceded him thanks to his expertise in various disciplines he has dipped his toes into successfully throughout his career over several decades until his passing at age seventy-five back in December 1992.
Bohrod’s works can be found mostly across American museums such as New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art or Whitney Museum of American Art alongside other renowned collections at Washington D.C.’s Hirshhorn Museum or Chicago’s famous Art Institute where he showcased most frequently during active years from around mid-1950s onward until shortly before he passed away over thirty years later.”
