Dance 1972

Charles Hinman made this print, Dance, sometime after 1932. It presents a series of bright, colorful bars tilted against a white background, all within a rectangular frame. This abstraction is typical of American art in the mid-20th century, a period when artists looked for universal forms of expression beyond direct representation. These artists often found inspiration in the everyday visual environment, like commercial design, signage, and architecture. Art institutions of the period, like museums and galleries, played a role in validating this kind of imagery. The bold colors and clean lines could be seen as a reflection of the optimism and technological advances of the time. The title, Dance, suggests movement and rhythm, perhaps mirroring the energetic spirit of American society at the time. To understand "Dance" fully, we might research the reception of abstract art in America and examine the relationship between art, design, and the prevailing cultural values of the period.