The Altar 1961

Sid Hammer created this etching, “The Altar,” in 1961. In this monochromatic print, Hammer presents a gothic architectural structure. It looms from the center foreground like the skeleton of a cathedral. Made in the United States during the Cold War, “The Altar” can be interpreted as a reaction to the country’s pervasive social anxieties. This was a period of intense religious revival as Americans looked to faith and spiritual institutions to fortify themselves against the perceived threat of Soviet communism. Hammer’s altar, though, appears to be more ruin than refuge. Its dark and crumbling facade might suggest a critique of the uncritical religious fervor of the time. As art historians, we can consider the social conditions that shaped Hammer’s artistic production. Understanding the socio-political and cultural context is crucial to interpreting such an artwork. Only then can we reflect on the meaning of art as something contingent on social and institutional context.