Spring Twilight, No. 2 1936

J.J. Lankes made this wood engraving, titled "Spring Twilight, No. 2," in 1936. Lankes lived through the Great Depression, and this print seems to reflect some of the anxieties and realities of that time. It depicts a rural scene, with a modest home set against a wide sky, the artist carefully using light and shadow. Two figures stand near the home, their posture suggesting a weariness that would have been familiar to rural Americans during the 1930s. The work is evocative, suggesting the quiet resilience of people tied to the land. Lankes had an interest in the Regionalist movement and its focus on everyday American scenes. When interpreting artworks like this, we can turn to sources from the period, such as government documents, newspapers, and personal letters. In doing so, we gain a richer understanding of the social conditions that shaped the artist's vision. Through careful research, we can begin to appreciate how artists like Lankes captured both the hardships and the enduring spirit of a generation.