The Cyclist 1936

Lawrence Kupferman made this etching called 'The Cyclist' sometime in the mid-20th century. It depicts a woman riding a bicycle on a dirt path, framed by trees, fields and a dramatic sky. The image speaks to a growing emphasis on outdoor leisure and recreation in American culture. The rise of the automobile and bicycle made the countryside accessible to a wider range of people, not just the wealthy landowners who had traditionally enjoyed it. We can see the bicycle as an emblem of personal freedom and a tool that allowed people to escape the confines of the city and experience nature firsthand. To understand this artwork fully, we'd want to delve into the social history of cycling, urban planning, and environmental movements in America. By drawing on sources from outside of the art institution, the role of art in culture starts to become clear.