One Third of a Nation 1939

O. Louis Guglielmi's "One Third of a Nation" (1939) is a realist painting depicting a street corner in an urban neighborhood. The image shows a row of brick buildings, a crumbling sidewalk, and a few mysterious, geometrically shaped objects scattered on the ground, suggesting a sense of abandonment. The composition is sharp and the color scheme is muted, creating a somber and slightly melancholic tone. The title alludes to the social and economic challenges facing the United States during the Great Depression. This painting is a powerful example of American Social Realism, a movement that aimed to portray the realities of everyday life for working-class people.