Strike! Boston 

Lewis Rubenstein made this work, Strike! Boston, with pen and ink on paper. The figure in the foreground wears a coat with the word ‘Strike’ emblazoned across the back, and the title tells us that this is Boston. The image provides insight into the labor movements that were gaining momentum in the US during the artist’s lifetime. As such, it is a historical document as much as an aesthetic object. Rubenstein’s work is a reminder that art does not exist in a vacuum, but is shaped by the social, economic, and political conditions in which it is produced. To fully understand this drawing, we can turn to archives, newspapers, and other sources to learn more about Boston’s labor history and the role of art in social movements. Through careful research, we can unlock the deeper meanings embedded in the artwork.