War

Patrociño Barela, War, 1942, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.9
Patrociño Barela, War, 1942, carved and stained pine, 11 38711 14 in. (28.8180.43.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.9

Artwork Details

Title
War
Date
1942
Dimensions
11 38711 14 in. (28.8180.43.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and stained pine
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — weapon — gun
  • Object — other — flag
  • New Deal — Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project — New Mexico
  • Architecture — vehicle — tank
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • History — United States — World War II
  • Figure group — male
  • Architecture — vehicle — airplane
Object Number
1985.65.9

Artwork Description

Patrociño Barela brought the rough, “untaught” style of his carvings of saints to these reliefs, which read like storyboards describing the chaotic, violent events leading up to World War II. Like many American artists working in the 1930s, Barela saw the events unfolding in Europe and Asia and saw a new conflict on the horizon. Progression in War tells a story from left to right: from the head-to-head discussion between political leaders, to invasion by air and land, to violent confrontation between individual soldiers. War has a similar progression, and we can see a soldier raising the American flag on a battleground, a man being measured, and military aircraft in the skies.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Julia Eckel, Revival, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor, 1964.1.106
Revival
Date1934
oil on canvas
Not on view
Julia Eckel, Band Concert, ca. 1933-1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor, 1964.1.81
Band Concert
Dateca. 1933-1934
oil on canvas
Not on view
Julia Eckel, Street Service, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor, 1964.1.98
Street Service
Date1934
oil on canvas
Not on view

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Date1973
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Artist
Date1968
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Arthur Wesley Dow, Ipswich Prints: Lily, 1901/published 1902, photo-mechanical relief reproduction on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. F. F. Reinert, 1976.96.2.5
Ipswich Prints: Lily
Date1901/published 1902
photo-mechanical relief reproduction on paper
Not on view
Toni Zepf, Harmony, 1938, mechanical reproduction on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.308
Harmony
Date1938
mechanical reproduction on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view