To Market c. 1940

Editor: So, here we have Merritt Mauzey’s "To Market," from around 1940. It appears to be a graphite drawing, maybe even a print. What strikes me is the contrast between the old horse-drawn wagon and the truck loaded with goods. What do you make of it? Curator: That contrast is precisely where the conversation begins. Consider the socio-economic context of 1940s America. Mauzey is presenting us with an image reflecting a nation in transition, moving from agrarian roots toward industrialization. How does this interplay of past and future get depicted, and how might viewers have understood its implications? Editor: So the mode of transport tells a story about America at this time? Curator: Exactly. Look at the landscape itself – somewhat barren, not overtly romanticized. The "realism" leans toward social realism, a movement emphasizing the lives of ordinary people and their conditions. To what extent does this scene suggest progress, and to what extent does it hint at potential displacement or hardship? Think about who owned the truck versus who drove the wagon. Editor: I see what you mean. The drawing is about more than just a scene; it's about economic disparity and change. The truck driver and wagon driver...what are they thinking? Curator: It’s a representation of power dynamics inherent in changing economies, and how those in turn relate to the representation of art and artists in our major institutions. I encourage you to think about that as you engage with other works from this period. Editor: That really gives me a lot to consider, thank you! Curator: Indeed. Thinking through these socio-economic lenses offers richer engagement with art of all periods.