Cement Mixer 1938

Jacob Kainen's 1938 woodblock print, "Cement Mixer," depicts two workers operating a cement mixer in a stylized, geometric manner. The scene is rendered in a muted palette of browns, reds, and blues, highlighting the starkness of the industrial setting. Kainen, known for his modernist approach to printmaking, uses bold lines and simplified forms to capture the essence of the industrial workers and their machine. This print exemplifies the artist's interest in depicting the daily lives of ordinary Americans, particularly those engaged in manual labor. "Cement Mixer" is a compelling example of Kainen's signature style, combining social realism with modernist aesthetics.