Tenement Houses, Chicago 1935

Donald Mundt’s 1935 lithograph "Tenement Houses, Chicago" captures the gritty reality of urban life in the 1930s. The artist uses a stark, graphic style to depict the densely packed buildings, power lines, and industrial smoke that characterized the city at the time. This image is considered part of the American Scene movement which emphasized the importance of depicting everyday life in America. The print, which measures 188 x 249 mm, is a poignant reminder of the challenges and resilience of those living in a rapidly changing city during the Great Depression.