Gettin Religion 1948

Archibald Motley painted this urban scene, Gettin’ Religion, using oil on canvas. The whole scene appears to be caught in the act of becoming. I can imagine Motley composing the work bit by bit, adding touches of red, orange, and white amidst a dominant blue palette. His energetic brushstrokes seem to echo the lively sounds of jazz music, giving the painting a rhythm all its own. I’m picturing Motley as a modern day flâneur, observing city life and reporting it back to us. The crowd has such variety – old, young, black, white, some with instruments. I’m struck by the way the buildings seem to watch over the event, with faces peering from their windows. In fact, the buildings almost feel like characters in the painting, as if Motley gave them a certain kind of personified weight. Like a lot of paintings, this one is a conversation starter, inviting us to bring our own experiences and perspectives to the gathering.