Variation [recto] 1950

Benton Spruance created this lithograph, Variation [recto], in the United States. While this abstract composition may not seem to have a direct social message, we can consider its place in the art world of its time. During the mid-20th century, abstract art became increasingly prominent, championed by institutions like museums and galleries as the epitome of artistic innovation. This was also during the height of the Cold War and, for some critics, abstract art was a powerful symbol of freedom of expression, in contrast to the more controlled, representational art often associated with socialist countries. Spruance's experimentation with form and composition, fits into this broader context of artistic exploration and the cultural politics of the era. Understanding the institutional and political forces that shaped the art world, helps us to interpret this apparently abstract work. To understand more, we could look at the archives of museums and galleries that promoted abstract art, and explore the writings of critics who championed it as a symbol of cultural freedom.