California, 1938 1938

"California, 1938" is a wood engraving by Charles Frederick Surendorf, created in 1938. The print depicts a scene of a family on a road trip, likely during the Great Depression. A man is shown working on the rear tire of their car, while a woman stands beside them, holding a child. The image showcases Surendorf's masterful use of line and tone to capture the harshness and realities of life on the road during this era. The image is signed by the artist and shows the use of cross-hatching and black and white contrast to create a sense of depth and texture in the artwork. "California, 1938" is an example of American Social Realism and is a compelling representation of the challenges and hardships faced by many Americans during the Depression.