Our Good Earth
John Steuart Curry, Our Good Earth, 1942, lithograph on cream wove paper, Bequest of Charles Henry Leavitt, © unknown, research required, 59.26.31
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
Our Good Earth
- Artist
- Related People
publisher: Associated American Artists (American, established 1934)
- Date
1942
- Medium
lithograph on cream wove paper
- Edition
edition of 250
- Catalogue Raisonné
Cole 36; Czestochowski C-38; Windisch and Cole 491
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
image: 12 3/4 in x 10 1/8 in; sheet: 16 3/4 in x 12 5/8 in
- Inscriptions & Markings
stamp: FROM PRINT COLLECTION // CHARLES HENRY LEAVITT, black ink, verso; lower middle Language: English
signature: John Steuart Curry, graphite, lower right
maker's mark: JSC, printed, lower right in stone
- Collection Area
Graphic Arts
- Category
Prints
- Object Type
planographic print
- Culture
American
- Credit Line
Bequest of Charles Henry Leavitt
- Accession Number
59.26.31
- Copyright
© unknown, research required
- Terms
This work is emblematic of the Regionalist style of taking everyday scenes and transforming them to convey larger messages. A preliminary image for a war bond poster, Our Good Earth emphasizes the importance of the American heartland to the war effort, while idealizing the US farm and crop production to signify the country's strength. Drafted as a proud and heroic figure, the farmer stands within his bountiful harvest, flanked by the next generation of crop growers. Gripping a strand of wheat, he stares out at the foreboding clouds. The ominous weather indicates the encroachment on American pastoral land if people do not help finance the war by investing their profits in bonds.
- Exhibitions
2019 Associated American Artists: Prints for the People Portland Art Museum
