Shovelers c. 1935 - 1943

This is William LeRoy Flint’s print titled 'Shovelers.' Born in 1909, Flint lived through the Great Depression, a period that profoundly shaped American identity and labor. This piece captures the physical exertion and collective effort of manual work, reflecting the era’s emphasis on the dignity of labor. The composition focuses on two muscular men, their bodies rendered with a sense of weight and movement. They are close together, accentuating the physical demands of the labor. Flint invites a discussion of the working class experience, emphasizing the role of labor in shaping personal and community identity. 'Shovelers' is not merely a depiction of work; it's an intimate portrayal of bodies in motion, and lives intertwined through the shared necessity of survival. Flint uses an aesthetic style rooted in realism to convey the feeling of physical exhaustion and a quiet sense of solidarity.