Roads of the Earth We Follow You. Authority over All the Signs of the Earth 1957

Editor: This charcoal drawing and print by Benton Spruance, titled "Roads of the Earth We Follow You. Authority over All the Signs of the Earth," was created in 1957. The mood is really quite somber, and the composition with these shrouded figures feels heavy, burdened even. How do you interpret this work, especially considering the socio-political climate of the late 1950s? Curator: It’s interesting you pick up on the somber mood. Spruance was deeply engaged with social issues and his art often reflected anxieties about power and authority. Looking at the title, "Authority over All the Signs of the Earth," we can see a direct critique of institutional power, perhaps a reaction to the Cold War atmosphere and the rise of conformity in American society. What do you make of the figures themselves, their obscured faces and burdened stances? Editor: They definitely seem like archetypes more than individuals, almost dehumanized by the weight of the implied authority. Is he commenting on how systems of power strip individuals of their agency? Curator: Precisely. Spruance frequently used religious and mythological imagery to address contemporary political concerns. By presenting these figures in such a stark, almost allegorical way, he's highlighting the timelessness of struggles against oppression. The landscape, though realistically rendered, also contributes to a sense of foreboding. Where are they going? What kind of journey are they on? These are questions Spruance asks the viewer. Editor: So the open road and obscured destination actually symbolize a more profound, universal challenge to power? That's pretty powerful! I initially just saw a dreary scene. Curator: Yes, Spruance masterfully uses imagery to spark dialogue about social responsibility and the dangers of unquestioned authority. He invites us to critically examine the world around us, as he very consciously positioned himself in the public eye with provocative pieces such as these. Editor: I’ll definitely be paying closer attention to those themes going forward. Thanks for shedding some light on this!