Merry-Go-Round 1931

Ross Eugene Braught made this print called Merry-Go-Round in 1931. We see a typical amusement park ride, but the dark shadows and strange figures give it a sinister quality. Produced during the Great Depression in America, this print resonates with the anxieties of the time. Amusement parks, normally places of carefree fun, are here transformed into spaces of unease. Braught's image taps into deep-seated fears about economic instability and social upheaval. The carousel, a symbol of childhood joy, becomes a vehicle for exploring the darker side of the American dream. This imagery can be contrasted with depictions of carousels in earlier times, where they were associated with wealth, leisure and carefree enjoyment. To truly understand Braught's print, we can examine popular culture, historical archives, and economic data from the period. This print reminds us that art is deeply embedded in the social and institutional conditions of its time.