Illustration of a hungry man

Fine Arts

Identifier2026.6.5.2.FA.PA.1937.FR

Description

Critical illustration associated with the period of Great Depression created with use of watercolor and pencil. The piece depicts a food service worker wearing a classic chef's uniform. He is depicted holding a restaurant sign while standing alone in the darkness, his gaze fixed longingly upon a brightly illuminated display case filled with colorful food. The contrast between the abundance visible behind the glass and the figure’s apparent deprivation suggests his inability to access this food, reflecting the effects of economic hardship and personal poverty. The scene conveys a sense of longing, exclusion, and the social inequalities associated with times of crisis. The background behind the man is dark which heavily contrasts between the light background and colors surrounding the food.

Materials

watercolor paper
watercolor
Pencil

Origin

1937 France

Dimensions

Width : 0.2 cm
Length : 24 cm
Height : 30.5 cm