Houses at Rockport c. 20th century

Editor: This is Samuel Green’s "Houses at Rockport." It's a simple yet evocative scene. I’m curious about the context. How does this fit into the broader narrative of American art and its portrayal of everyday life? Curator: Green's work reflects the burgeoning interest in depicting American scenes. How do you think this particular image, with its emphasis on vernacular architecture, participates in shaping a national identity? Editor: Perhaps it romanticizes a simpler, pre-industrial past? What do you think Samuel Green was trying to convey? Curator: Possibly. But it also brings attention to the working class and their environment. Consider the placement of the figure on the porch - does it evoke a sense of place or something more? Editor: It does seem to invite us to consider the lives lived within these buildings. I see it now. Curator: Indeed, and in doing so, it raises the question: who gets to represent America, and how?