The Uncle 1928

Philip Reisman created this etching, "The Uncle," sometime in the mid-20th century. The scene depicts a domestic interior, where an uncle sits surrounded by children and dogs, while a woman works in the background. This image creates meaning through its stark representation of working-class life, likely in the urban setting where Reisman spent much of his career. The details - the worn clothing, the simple furnishings, and the close quarters - all speak to the economic realities of many families during this period in America. Such images can be seen as part of a broader Social Realist movement in art, which sought to represent the lives and struggles of ordinary people. Historians of art and culture can use census data, photographs, and literature from the period to better understand the social context of Reisman's work. By examining the institutional history of art during this time, we can appreciate how artists like Reisman contributed to a more democratic and socially engaged art world.