Triumverate c. 1935 - 1943

Editor: "Triumverate," a print by Florence Kent Hunter, created sometime between 1935 and 1943. The figures are quite striking—almost caricatures—and the geometric style feels very Art Deco. How would you interpret the significance of this piece in its time? Curator: Well, consider the sociopolitical context. The work comes out of the WPA Federal Art Project during the Depression era, suggesting the importance of government funding and artistic production for the public good. The figures themselves, so exaggerated, beg the question of who they represent, and for whom this imagery might resonate. Do they depict types found in the urban landscape? Perhaps mocking the elite, or commenting on social relations? Editor: I see what you mean. The stylistic choices and their presentation would imply a very pointed societal narrative. Do you think this could have been aimed at challenging perceptions? Curator: Certainly! Remember, prints were often a medium for accessible and widely distributed social commentary. Art Deco’s streamlining often expressed aspiration, yet here it almost mocks elegance. Do you think this distortion would have added to the art’s potential public impact? Editor: Absolutely. The exaggeration would definitely make a statement, harder to ignore. I hadn't fully appreciated how much social context shapes our understanding of the artwork itself. Curator: Indeed. Considering the artwork as a cultural object allows us to read between the lines. What new understanding will you take with you from our discussion today? Editor: Thinking about how art functions within specific social structures-- who supports it, who consumes it, and the statements it can make! Thanks for that perspective.