The Unfolding 

Mark Beck painted 'The Unfolding' in the late 20th century. It's an image of a house being buffeted by forces outside its control, forces which may cause it to fail. The ocean waves crashing against the cliffs can be seen as a metaphor for the social and economic changes of the late 20th century. The house on the hill could be a representation of the nuclear family, buffeted by forces of change. Many artists in the late 20th century were deeply engaged with social and political issues and Beck might be seen in this context. A social historian might examine his work in relation to the political anxieties of his time. We could look to written sources, such as newspapers and political pamphlets, to gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped this artwork. What can visual metaphor tell us about how people felt about their place in changing society?