Workers of the World, Unite! 1937

Rockwell Kent made this print called, "Workers of the World, Unite!" by carving into a block and inking it. I imagine Kent working at his press, thinking about the dignity of labor. This lone figure with his shovel is monumental; his muscles ripple as he digs, feet bare on the earth. The contrasts are stark, and the forms are simplified and dynamic. Look at the dark clouds behind him, echoed in the textures of the earth. His gaze is focused and steady, and the shovel, though a simple tool, feels heroic. Kent was known for his socialist views and often depicted working-class people in his art. There's a sense of solidarity and collective action hinted at here. I see his print as a testament to the power and resilience of the working class. It reminds me of the prints and posters that were so important for communicating political ideas. We stand on the shoulders of artists who came before us.