Cotton Pickers

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.