One Fine Day: Any Analysis of The Picnic by Archibald Motley and Ideals Hoped. Life in the 1920 s and 1930 s encompassed a whirlwind of economic

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1 One Fine Day: Any Analysis of The Picnic by Archibald Motley and Ideals Hoped For During the Harlem Renaissance Life in the 1920 s and 1930 s encompassed a whirlwind of economic hardship in addition to struggles for racial equality, which unfortunately, echo into today. In both periods, literature and the arts serve as an avenue to express the truth of those challenges, as well as hope for a higher standard of living not yet achieved an ideal. An example of the second can be seen in the paining, The Picnic, by Archibald Motely. Painted in 1936, Motely casts the vision of a society free of racial prejudice and economic inequality, an idea that contradicted reality. [Good, focused introduction.] Motley paints a diverse group of people socializing in a park on a sunny day. The scene shows a couple in an embrace relaxing under a large tree; there are several others involved in a conversation around a table; a man singing as he plays a stringed instrument; and a couple standing in the foreground visiting. Additionally, there are several others in the background, as well as a man in the upper right corner who hardly makes it to the canvas. [This is an interesting observation, but it s a bit weird because you don t comment on it. So what that he barely makes the canvas? What does it mean? What effect does it create?] Those gathered are finely dressed the women with jewelry and heels, and most of the men in suites and hats. On the tables, there is bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, and fruit nicely arranged in a serving dish. It is apparent that those at the picnic are at ease and enjoying their time. [Good description, overall, in this paragraph.]

2 The painting instantly draws the eye due to Motely s choice of vibrant colors: pastels, pinks, greens, and blues. [Where and how, specifically, are these colors used? Describe.] However, the eyes are obligated to work past the two umbrellas that slightly obstruct the view. [Another good observation, but the analysis is missing. Why do you think these umbrellas are there? What effect do they create?] As the eye reaches full circle, it is easy to note variation in skin tone: from very dark to light. Additionally, Motely uses soft lines and captures light in a way to avoid harsh edges and shadows. The space is crowed and the multiple layers of people at the picnic provide depth. The grass is rich green and abruptly ends in the background as it meets the blue sky (or sea), as if the scene takes place atop a hill. To better understand why Motely is depicting an ideal [Relate the specific details in the painting to this idea of an ideal world. Two paragraphs passed and you didn t mention it at all. What is ideal in the painting?] versus a reality, it is helpful to examine his life as well as the time period this painting represents. Archibald Motley ( ) was a black painter who graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1918, and is famously known for his work depicting the life as an African American from the 1920 s through the 1930 s. [Citation needed.] Motley was born in New Orleans, but later moved to Chicago, Illinois where he lived long term, within a predominantly white European neighborhood (Post). Additionally, his studies took him overseas to France where he was exposed to classic art. He is said to be a major contributor to the Harlem Renaissance (Owens). [Good citations!]

3 During the same time, the Great Depression was in full roar. On the last week of October of 1929, the stock market crashed, unraveling the threads of the lifeline the United States hung financial stability and growth. This marked the beginning of a financial crisis that would take years to recover. In the four years from 1929 to 1933, the American economy simply disintegrated, wrote university professors and Economists Gary Walton and Hugh Rockoff who authored History of the American Economy. [Nice quoting.] They explained: The Great Depression was the most important economic event of the twentieth century.... It is almost impossible to convey the sheer terror and misery that the depression produced, but numbers can suggest the dimensions. Real GDP fell 30 percent. Unemployment rose from 3.2 percent of the labor force in 1929 to 24.9 percent in Hunger and fear paralyzed the nation (Walton 452). [Nice quoting.] By March 1933, the final bank run had devastated financial systems. It wasn t until 1934 that the United Sates re fixed the dollar to a gold standard, which was monumental to the recovery from the Great Depression. However, it would be years and the entrance into World War II to bring focus to the American economy. This time period was extremely difficult to the general American, but particularly challenging to the rural resident and farmer, low income family, and minority. This crisis had significant influences in art created during this time. Oddly, The Picnic depicts a scene during the Depression era. By examining details, such as the fashions and hairstyles of the women and men, it becomes apparent [This is a short cut, because you are not actually describing what the clothes and hair look like.] that this scene takes place during the early 1930 s. In review of the elements of design, as briefly touched upon earlier, the image is

4 colorful and bright. The value (shadow) and lines are soft, reinforcing the relaxed mood within the scene. This seems out of place in a time of economic instability and grief. Other details include the vantage point and iconography. [Weak transition. Explain how these ideas relate to your overall claim.] The vantage point is on an even plane, as if viewing the picnic from the eyes of a participant. This suggests that Motley hoped to establish equality between his audience and those shown at the picnic. The iconography can be seen through the display of food, the stringed instrument, and the wicker basket. The imagery of the wine, bread, and luxurious fruit show a sense of provision and wealth, quite opposite of the financial status of the general American during that time. The stringed instrument represents the countryside as opposed to the city where brass instruments were more common. [Nice.] The wicker basket may represent a cultural or historical aspect of the African American. Lastly, the skin tones of the individuals gathered differ from one another. In fact, the man in the upper right corner has the fairest complexion of them all. It may allude to the idea that this social gathering was diverse in race. In interpretation of this painting, it becomes evident that Motley was depicting his ideals. The racial diversity of the gathering represents a hope for something to come, but not yet achieved. To further demonstrate this point, the couple in the foreground stand with their backs turned toward the viewer, giving a sense of exclusivity. Though very appealing, the picnic seems difficult to join. Those already at the picnic have the freedom to enjoy life. Life s troubles (of racial

5 inequality, economic hardship, etc) don t seem to have a role or inhibit their celebration. However, history and literature written during the time of the Harlem Renaissance describes life quite differently. The Picnic, was Motley s avenue for showing the public what life should be like and the type of ideals to work towards. Works Cited: Owens, Brian. Brian R. Owns: The Archibald Motley Reading Room. N.p., Web. 2 June 2, Post, Frances, Dave Martin, and Sydney Tanner. Area of Design: American Icons. N.p., June Web. 1 June 2011 Walton, Gary, Hugh Rockoff. History of the American Economy. Mason: South Western, Print.