“This 1945 oil painting vividly portrays the demanding work of cotton pickers, offering a poignant glimpse into mid-20th century agricultural labor. Its stark realism invites reflection on human effort and the American landscape.”
This powerful painting, "Cotton Pickers," from 1945, captures a scene of labor with a stark realism. While the artist is listed as William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, it's important to note that the historical figure William Herbert (born 1501) could not have created a painting in 1945. This suggests a potential misattribution or a different artist with the same name. Given the style and subject matter, it's more likely by an American artist working in the mid-20th century, possibly a social realist. The Art Institute of Chicago's collection includes other works from this period, which often focused on everyday life and work, reflecting the social concerns of the time. This piece, with its focus on cotton pickers, speaks to the agricultural backbone of the American South and the human effort involved in its economy.
- Date
- 1945
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 81.3 × 121.9 cm (32 × 48 in.)
- Collection
- Arts of the Americas
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Prior bequest of Alexander Stewart; prior acquisition of the George F. Harding Collection; Wesley M. Dixon Jr. and Roger and J. Peter McCormick endowment funds; Cyrus Hall McCormick Fund; purchased with funds provided by an anonymous donor; The Alyce and Edwin DeCosta and the Walter E. Heller Foundation and The Goodman endowment funds; through prior bequest of Arthur Rubloff; Walter Aitken and Ada Turnbull Hertle endowment funds; Roger McCormick Fund; prior gift of Gertrude Finch; Mary and Leigh Block Endowment Fund; through prior purchase of the Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Logan Fund; The Marian and Samuel Klasstorner and Laura T. Magnuson endowment funds; through prior gift of the Friends of American Art Collection; Wirt D. Walker and Jay W. McGreevy endowment funds; Cyrus H. McCormick and Samuel A. Marx funds; Maurice D. Galleher, Alfred and May Tiefenbronner Memorial, and Dr. Julian Archie endowment funds; The Gladys N. Anderson Fund; through prior gift of Society for Contemporary American Art; Simeon B. Williams and General Acquisitions Capital Campaign endowment funds; and The Luella Thomas Fund
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
The figures' hunched postures
Baskets overflowing with cotton
Vast, open field stretching back
Subdued, earthy color palette
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Cotton Pickers — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.