The End of Day

Copied Max Kalish, The End of Day, 1930, bronze, 15 385 783 12 in. (39.215.08.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Max Kalish, 1933.1.2
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
The End of Day
Artist
Date
1930
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
15 385 783 12 in. (39.215.08.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Max Kalish
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — labor
  • Figure male — full length
Object Number
1933.1.2

Artwork Description

Max Kalish chose laborers, particularly steelworkers and riveters, as his subject because of their important role in industrialized America. Factories employed so many people that to Kalish these workers represented the common man. He appreciated the rhythm and grace that workers showed in their daily tasks, and captured both the physical effort and the well-deserved rest of his laborers, as shown here in The End of the Day. His images of the “heroic worker” were aimed at restoring faith and optimism to a dispirited population suffering the ravages of the Depression.