Sketch for Woodblock "Bather" I 

This is a charcoal sketch for Woodblock "Bather" I by Rockwell Kent. Although not dated, Kent was most active in the early to mid-20th century in the United States. Kent was known for his modernist style and social advocacy. In this sketch, the simplified, muscular form of the bather speaks to the era's fascination with the body, influenced by both classical ideals and a burgeoning physical culture movement. The sketch suggests a powerful, self-reliant figure, embodying the ideals of individualism that were often celebrated in American art and culture of the time. Kent’s work often incorporated themes of social justice and his art was deeply intertwined with his political beliefs. To understand this sketch more fully, we might look at the artist’s other prints and drawings, consider the cultural context of the American art scene during the interwar period, and examine how his artistic production was received by critics and the public alike.