Coast Road Farm 1940

Glenn Anthony Wessels created "Coast Road Farm" using lithography, a printmaking process, in 1972. Wessels, born in 1895, lived through a period of immense social and economic change in the United States, including the Great Depression and two World Wars. This black and white print presents a rural scene with a winding road, a farmhouse, and rolling hills. The scene hints at the traditional values and simpler ways of life which were often contrasted with the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the 20th century. There is a sense of solitude and tranquility in the image which encourages reflection on themes of nature, home, and identity. With his sensitive and intimate approach to landscape, Wessels asks us to consider our own connection to place and memory. How does the landscape shape our sense of self and belonging?