Industrial Encroachment 1939

"Industrial Encroachment" (1939) by Charles Bowling (1891-1985) is a powerful depiction of the changing landscape of America in the late 1930s. The lithograph contrasts a modest rural dwelling with a towering industrial building, emphasizing the impact of industrialization on traditional communities. Bowling's use of stark contrasts and realistic details captures the sense of both wonder and apprehension associated with the rise of modern industry, a theme prevalent in American art of the era. The artwork's composition, with its focus on the juxtaposition of old and new, invites viewers to contemplate the consequences of progress and the enduring presence of the past.