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Land of Cotton

A work made of watercolor and gouache, with pen and black ink, and touches of scraping, over traces of graphite on ivory wood pulp laminate board (illustration board).

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  • A work made of watercolor and gouache, with pen and black ink, and touches of scraping, over traces of graphite on ivory wood pulp laminate board (illustration board).

Date:

1939/45

Artist:

Robert Gwathmey
American, 1903-1988

About this artwork

Land of Cotton is one of several works by Robert Gwathmey that illustrates the social conditions of tenant farmers and sharecroppers in the rural South. Although Gwathmey described himself as an “observer,” his images are not detached or dispassionate depictions of his subjects. This empathetic portrayal of cotton-field workers demonstrates Gwathmey’s close relationship with the people of rural Charlotte, North Carolina, and his desire to draw attention to their harsh way of life.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Robert Gwathmey

Title

Land of Cotton

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1939–1945

Medium

Watercolor and gouache, with pen and black ink, and touches of scraping, over traces of graphite on ivory wood pulp laminate board (illustration board)

Dimensions

55.7 × 76.2 cm (21 15/16 × 30 in.)

Credit Line

Mary and Earle Ludgin Collection

Reference Number

1981.1178

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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