American Neoclassical 

Mark Beck created this painting, called American Neoclassical, during the 20th century. Here, the artist’s title and the date in which it was created offer us a lens through which to consider the image's social and cultural context. In what ways does this depiction of rural, working-class America engage with and challenge the historical associations of Neoclassical art? The painting seems to play on the traditional elements of Neoclassical art such as balance, symmetry, and simplicity but in an unconventional way. What does it mean to label this style Neoclassical within the American context? Perhaps the image's focus on everyday life acts as a subtle critique of traditional artistic institutions and their tendency to elevate certain subjects above others. The artist's choice to depict this subject matter implies that these places also hold a particular cultural and historical significance, worthy of being documented and appreciated. By exploring historical archives and records of the artist's life, we can better understand the relationship between the artwork, the artist, and the broader socio-political context in which it was created.