Man with a Monocle 

George Luks painted this oil on canvas, Man with a Monocle, sometime in the early 20th century. Luks was an Ashcan School artist, and his work often depicts scenes of urban life, especially those of the working class in New York City. This painting captures the likeness of a man in a dark suit and hat, the monocle adding an interesting detail. This portrait could easily be read as a depiction of the upper class, but it doesn't quite fit into the mold. Consider the monocle, a symbol of wealth and refinement during this era. Was Luks aiming to satirize the upper class, or perhaps highlight the growing presence of wealth in American society? By studying paintings like this, alongside historical records and cultural documents, we get a sense of how art reflects social change and shapes our perceptions of class and identity.