Car Crash 

Arthur Sarnoff painted this piece, titled "Car Crash", likely sometime in the mid-20th century. It depicts a roadside accident scene attended by police and medical personnel. The painting offers a window into mid-century American culture, reflecting the rise of automobile ownership and its associated risks. The focus on emergency response highlights the growing role of the state in ensuring public safety, with institutions like the police and hospitals playing an increasingly prominent part in everyday life. We can see how the painting’s visual codes, such as the sleek design of the cars and the clean-cut appearance of the responders, echo the aspirational ideals of the post-war period. To understand the painting more fully, one might consult sources on the history of automobile safety regulations and the development of emergency medical services in the United States. The meaning of art is often contingent on these kinds of social and institutional contexts.