Untitled (Landscape With Goat) c. 1930 - 1933

John B. Flannagan made this woodcut print, Untitled (Landscape With Goat), at an unknown date. The high contrast between the black ink and the white paper creates a crude style with a sense of immediacy. Flannagan's landscape presents a humble dwelling. The presence of the goat suggests a pastoral scene of rural life. The overall composition evokes the simplicity and self-sufficiency that was idealized during the American regionalism movement, between the two World Wars. During the 1930’s many artists turned away from European abstraction and instead focused on specifically American themes. They were supported by New Deal programs such as the WPA Federal Art Project. To understand Flannagan’s work more fully, we can delve into archives of government-funded art projects and publications, and period magazines that debated the proper role of art in American life. These sources highlight how Flannagan's art participates in a broader cultural conversation about national identity and the value of rural experience.