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One
Fine
Day:
Any
Analysis
of
The
Picnic
by
Archibald
Motley
and
Ideals
Hoped
For
During
the
Harlem
Renaissance
Life
in
the
1920’s
and
1930’s
encompassed
a
whirlwind
of
economic
hardship
in
addition
to
struggles
for
racial
equality,
which
unfortunately,
echo
into
today.
In
both
periods,
literature
and
the
arts
serve
as
an
avenue
to
express
the
truth
of
those
challenges,
as
well
as
hope
for
a
higher
standard
of
living
not
yet
achieved
–
an
ideal.
An
example
of
the
second
can
be
seen
in
the
paining,
The
Picnic,
by
Archibald
Motely.
Painted
in
1936,
Motely
casts
the
vision
of
a
society
free
of
racial
prejudice
and
economic
inequality,
an
idea
that
contradicted
reality.
[Good,
focused
introduction.]
Motley
paints
a
diverse
group
of
people
socializing
in
a
park
on
a
sunny
day.
The
scene
shows
a
couple
in
an
embrace
relaxing
under
a
large
tree;
there
are
several
others
involved
in
a
conversation
around
a
table;
a
man
singing
as
he
plays
a
stringed
instrument;
and
a
couple
standing
in
the
foreground
visiting.
Additionally,
there
are
several
others
in
the
background,
as
well
as
a
man
in
the
upper
right
corner
who
hardly
makes
it
to
the
canvas.
[This
is
an
interesting
observation,
but
it’s
a
bit
weird
because
you
don’t
comment
on
it.
So
what
that
he
barely
makes
the
canvas?
What
does
it
mean?
What
effect
does
it
create?]
Those
gathered
are
finely
dressed
‐
the
women
with
jewelry
and
heels,
and
most
of
the
men
in
suites
and
hats.
On
the
tables,
there
is
bottle
of
wine,
a
loaf
of
bread,
and
fruit
nicely
arranged
in
a
serving
dish.
It
is
apparent
that
those
at
the
picnic
are
at
ease
and
enjoying
their
time.
[Good
description,
overall,
in
this
paragraph.]
The
painting
instantly
draws
the
eye
due
to
Motely’s
choice
of
vibrant
colors:
pastels,
pinks,
greens,
and
blues.
[Where
and
how,
specifically,
are
these
colors
used?
Describe.]
However,
the
eyes
are
obligated
to
work
past
the
two
umbrellas
that
slightly
obstruct
the
view.
[Another
good
observation,
but
the
analysis
is
missing.
Why
do
you
think
these
umbrellas
are
there?
What
effect
do
they
create?]
As
the
eye
reaches
full
circle,
it
is
easy
to
note
variation
in
skin
tone:
from
very
dark
to
light.
Additionally,
Motely
uses
soft
lines
and
captures
light
in
a
way
to
avoid
harsh
edges
and
shadows.
The
space
is
crowed
and
the
multiple
layers
of
people
at
the
picnic
provide
depth.
The
grass
is
rich
green
and
abruptly
ends
in
the
background
as
it
meets
the
blue
sky
(or
sea),
as
if
the
scene
takes
place
atop
a
hill.
To
better
understand
why
Motely
is
depicting
an
ideal
[Relate
the
specific
details
in
the
painting
to
this
idea
of
an
ideal
world.
Two
paragraphs
passed
and
you
didn’t
mention
it
at
all.
What
is
ideal
in
the
painting?]
versus
a
reality,
it
is
helpful
to
examine
his
life
as
well
as
the
time
period
this
painting
represents.
Archibald
Motley
(1891‐
1981)
was
a
black
painter
who
graduated
from
the
School
of
the
Art
Institute
of
Chicago
in
1918,
and
is
famously
known
for
his
work
depicting
the
life
as
an
African
American
from
the
1920’s
through
the
1930’s.
[Citation
needed.]
Motley
was
born
in
New
Orleans,
but
later
moved
to
Chicago,
Illinois
where
he
lived
long
term,
within
a
predominantly
white
European
neighborhood
(Post).
Additionally,
his
studies
took
him
overseas
to
France
where
he
was
exposed
to
classic
art.
He
is
said
to
be
a
major
contributor
to
the
Harlem
Renaissance
(Owens).
[Good
–
citations!]
During
the
same
time,
the
Great
Depression
was
in
full
roar.
On
the
last
week
of
October
of
1929,
the
stock
market
crashed,
unraveling
the
threads
of
the
lifeline
the
United
States
hung
financial
stability
and
growth.
This
marked
the
beginning
of
a
financial
crisis
that
would
take
years
to
recover.
“In
the
four
years
from
1929
to
1933,
the
American
economy
simply
disintegrated,”
wrote
university
professors
and
Economists
Gary
Walton
and
Hugh
Rockoff
who
authored
History
of
the
American
Economy.
[Nice
quoting.]
They
explained:
The
Great
Depression
was
the
most
important
economic
event
of
the
twentieth
century.
.
.
.
It
is
almost
impossible
to
convey
the
sheer
terror
and
misery
that
the
depression
produced,
but
numbers
can
suggest
the
dimensions.
Real
GDP
fell
30
percent.
Unemployment
rose
from
3.2
percent
of
the
labor
force
in
1929
to
24.9
percent
in
1933.
Hunger
and
fear
paralyzed
the
nation
(Walton
452).
[Nice
quoting.]
By
March
1933,
the
final
bank
run
had
devastated
financial
systems.
It
wasn’t
until
1934
that
the
United
Sates
re‐fixed
the
dollar
to
a
gold
standard,
which
was
monumental
to
the
recovery
from
the
Great
Depression.
However,
it
would
be
years
and
the
entrance
into
World
War
II
to
bring
focus
to
the
American
economy.
This
time
period
was
extremely
difficult
to
the
general
American,
but
particularly
challenging
to
the
rural
resident
and
farmer,
low‐income
family,
and
minority.
This
crisis
had
significant
influences
in
art
created
during
this
time.
Oddly,
The
Picnic
depicts
a
scene
during
the
Depression
era.
By
examining
details,
such
as
the
fashions
and
hairstyles
of
the
women
and
men,
it
becomes
apparent
[This
is
a
short
cut,
because
you
are
not
actually
describing
what
the
clothes
and
hair
look
like.]
that
this
scene
takes
place
during
the
early
1930’s.
In
review
of
the
elements
of
design,
as
briefly
touched
upon
earlier,
the
image
is
colorful
and
bright.
The
value
(shadow)
and
lines
are
soft,
reinforcing
the
relaxed
mood
within
the
scene.
This
seems
out
of
place
in
a
time
of
economic
instability
and
grief.
Other
details
include
the
vantage
point
and
iconography.
[Weak
transition.
Explain
how
these
ideas
relate
to
your
overall
claim.]
The
vantage
point
is
on
an
even
plane,
as
if
viewing
the
picnic
from
the
eyes
of
a
participant.
This
suggests
that
Motley
hoped
to
establish
equality
between
his
audience
and
those
shown
at
the
picnic.
The
iconography
can
be
seen
through
the
display
of
food,
the
stringed
instrument,
and
the
wicker
basket.
The
imagery
of
the
wine,
bread,
and
luxurious
fruit
show
a
sense
of
provision
and
wealth,
quite
opposite
of
the
financial
status
of
the
general
American
during
that
time.
The
stringed
instrument
represents
the
countryside
as
opposed
to
the
city
where
brass
instruments
were
more
common.
[Nice.]
The
wicker
basket
may
represent
a
cultural
or
historical
aspect
of
the
African
American.
Lastly,
the
skin
tones
of
the
individuals
gathered
differ
from
one
another.
In
fact,
the
man
in
the
upper
right
corner
has
the
fairest
complexion
of
them
all.
It
may
allude
to
the
idea
that
this
social
gathering
was
diverse
in
race.
In
interpretation
of
this
painting,
it
becomes
evident
that
Motley
was
depicting
his
ideals.
The
racial
diversity
of
the
gathering
represents
a
hope
for
something
to
come,
but
not
yet
achieved.
To
further
demonstrate
this
point,
the
couple
in
the
foreground
stand
with
their
backs
turned
toward
the
viewer,
giving
a
sense
of
exclusivity.
Though
very
appealing,
the
picnic
seems
difficult
to
join.
Those
already
at
the
picnic
have
the
freedom
to
enjoy
life.
Life’s
troubles
(of
racial
inequality,
economic
hardship,
etc)
don’t
seem
to
have
a
role
or
inhibit
their
celebration.
However,
history
and
literature
written
during
the
time
of
the
Harlem
Renaissance
describes
life
quite
differently.
The
Picnic,
was
Motley’s
avenue
for
showing
the
public
what
life
should
be
like
and
the
type
of
ideals
to
work
towards.
Works
Cited:
Owens,
Brian.
Brian
R.
Owns:
The
Archibald
Motley
Reading
Room.
N.p.,
2004.
Web.
2
June
2,
2011.
Post,
Frances,
Dave
Martin,
and
Sydney
Tanner.
Area
of
Design:
American
Icons.
N.p.,
June
2011.
Web.
1
June
2011
Walton,
Gary,
Hugh
Rockoff.
History
of
the
American
Economy.
Mason:
South‐
Western,
2005.
Print.