“Unemployment, Radical Protest, Speed,” a 1932 artwork by Thomas Hart Benton, is rendered using tempera on board. This piece, belonging to the art movement Regionalism, is a genre painting and forms a part of the series “The Arts of Life in America.”
The artwork vividly depicts the tumultuous era of the Great Depression, marked by its title elements of unemployment, radical protest, and speed. On the left side, a woman is visibly engaged in reading, perhaps a newspaper, signifying informed awareness. Positioned centrally, a multitude of individuals are engaged in fervent activities, with one character holding a sign stating “Workless” and another appearing to be addressing a multitude from atop a platform. There is a notable sense of urgency and chaos in the composition, amplified by the dynamic postures and expressions of the figures. On the right, an architectural structure resembling a public hall is apparent, with women inside seemingly engaged in conversation or entertainment. Racing machinery and aircrafts slice through the sky, emphasizing the notion of speed, while the juxtaposition of various elements encapsulates the societal upheaval and fervor of protest during this period.
