Mr. MacGregor's Garden c. 1940

Editor: So here we have Dorothy Layng McEntee’s woodcut print, "Mr. MacGregor’s Garden," circa 1940. The sharp contrasts create a sort of idyllic rural scene, but the high contrast almost gives it a sinister undertone. What is your interpretation? Curator: This print is interesting in its depiction of rural life during a period marked by significant social and economic upheaval in America. The meticulous details carved into the woodcut depict a return to agrarian ideals amidst urbanization and industrial growth, during The Great Depression and approaching WW2. Does the stark black and white imagery resonate with these times for you? Editor: It definitely makes me think of photographs documenting that era, creating that serious atmosphere, like this wasn’t just some hobby farm but something more essential. The limited palette kind of enhances the idea of resourcefulness. What does the title suggest? Curator: The title "Mr. MacGregor's Garden" immediately makes one think of Beatrix Potter. McEntee situates this scene within a broader narrative tradition, while still grounding it in a distinct time and place. Potter romanticizes the English countryside. What does McEntee suggest about labor through the contrast with this history? Editor: Good question! I guess I hadn’t really thought of the labor, beyond a romantic vision, because I recognized it was inspired by Beatrix Potter! I appreciate the contrast now that you point it out! I now see the garden existing as a symbol for something deeper in terms of cultural identity and social reality. Curator: Exactly! It’s important to view art in terms of the historical circumstances, from materials and distribution all the way up to symbolic and artistic language! Viewing McEntee through the lens of Potter gives one another look at US social realities during the period!