Modern Times

Ralph Fasanella, Modern Times, 1966, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Maurice and Margo Cohen, Birmingham, MI, 2002.10, © 1966, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
Ralph Fasanella, Modern Times, 1966, oil on canvas, 49 34104 in. (126.4264.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Maurice and Margo Cohen, Birmingham, MI, 2002.10, © 1966, Estate of Ralph Fasanella

Artwork Details

Title
Modern Times
Date
1966
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
49 34104 in. (126.4264.1 cm)
Copyright
© 1966, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
Credit Line
Gift of Maurice and Margo Cohen, Birmingham, MI
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Cityscape — imaginary
  • Figure group
Object Number
2002.10

Artwork Description

By the mid-1960s, Fasanella was disheartened by the arrogance and self-centeredness that, to him, defined the counterculture movement. Modern Times proposes a futuristic urban scene in which an impersonal and technological society has displaced one of humanity and unity.

Fasanella completed this work following Pope Paul VI’s 1965 visit to Yankee Stadium. In it he contrasts humanistic subjects such as the papal visit, images of workers, protesters, strikers, and returning soldiers with the detached, intellectual side of society—the worlds of science, technology, and fine arts. Fasanella felt the elitist art world had pigeonholed him as “primitive and stupid.” He ardently believed that art didn’t have to be aloof or conceptual; it was a tool to be wielded like a hammer.

Works by this artist (20 items)

Carlos A. Cortéz, The Gilded Age, 1992, linocut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1993.13.5, artist claims work to be in public domain
The Gilded Age
Date1992
linocut on paper
Not on view
Carlos A. Cortéz, Ben Fletcher, 1987, linocut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1993.13.2, artist claims work to be in public domain
Ben Fletcher
Date1987
linocut on paper
Not on view
Carlos A. Cortéz, De la Tierra Somos (!No Somos Illegales!), 1984, woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1993.13.3, artist claims work to be in public domain
De la Tierra Somos (!No Somos Illegales!)
Date1984
woodcut on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Nathan Oliveira, Site with Blue and White, 1978, monotype, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Moses Lasky, 2004.32.14
Site with Blue and White
Date1978
monotype
Not on view