Social Realism: Art as a Weapon

by David Shapiro

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Mike Zickar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book that has an essay about the importance of the social realism movement, then a section that provides key documents about the movement (manifestos, essays, critiques). Finally, there are five sections devoted to five artists: Philip Evergood, William Gropper, Jacob Lawrence, Jack Levine, and Ben Shahn. In each of these sections, there is an essay by the artist and then published articles and critiques of each.

The book is important. It compiles documents that were key to the time and it provides important material on five artists, several who there is relatively little out there. The book, though, is a bit of a tough read given the varied nature of the essays. There are two reproductions of bw artwork for each artist.

[Diana León · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical response to american art