Freight 1933

Victoria Hutson Huntley created "Freight," a lithograph, in 1942. The print presents an industrial scene, a landscape of labor and transit cast in somber tones, a scene indicative of the era, marked by both the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. Huntley’s choice to depict freight trains is significant, as they were crucial to the American economy and war effort, moving goods and materials across the country. But notice how the artist frames the laborers within this setting. Their posture and placement evoke a sense of quiet determination, yet also anonymity. The men are part of the machinery, so to speak. Huntley’s print provides a glimpse into the lives of the working class during a pivotal moment in history. The trains, the factories, the workers, all components of a larger system, highlight the connections between industry, labor, and national identity. It reflects the personal lives deeply entwined with broader societal forces.