Basket Method c. 1940s

"Basket Method" is a lithograph created by Merritt Mauzey circa the 1940s. The artwork depicts two Black women, likely sharecroppers, carrying baskets of cotton on their heads in a field. A small child is also in the scene, suggesting the family work in the fields together. The print's stark lines and contrasts create a sense of realism, highlighting the harsh realities of labor in the American South. The piece, characteristic of Mauzey’s work, touches on themes of social justice and the experiences of African Americans during the 20th century.