Artwork Page for Pay Day

Details / Information for Pay Day

Pay Day

1938

William E. Smith

(American, 1913–1997)
Culture
America
Medium
linocut
Measurements
Image: 20.3 x 15.1 cm (8 x 5 15/16 in.); Sheet: 26.9 x 21.9 cm (10 9/16 x 8 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust 2022.251
Catalogue raisonné
Teller 10; Salsbury, Benay, and Kruse 87 (First Version)
Edition
20
Impression
16
Copyright
© William E. Smith
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The composition seen here seems to have been especially meaningful to William E. Smith, who realized it a second time in reverse three years later.

Description

Although he often depicted the hardships and struggles of Black life in Depression-era Cleveland, William E. Smith countered such representations here with an image of triumph and joy. A man beams with pride after receiving his initial paycheck from his first job—a notable event during a period of economic crisis that especially impacted Black communities. Describing the image, Smith emphasized the hope, independence, and empowerment that this income could provide: “I meant the dreams and self-confidence on his fact to be just as important as the cigar in his mouth, and the blue overalls to be glorified by the money in their pockets.”
Vertically oriented print in black ink depicting a boy with dark skin tone from the shoulders up, looking up and smiling with what could be a cigarette jutting from the corner of his mouth. The circular rim of a hat surrounds his head and he wears overalls with a collared shirt. White highlights the shirt collar, as well as the boy's chin, forehead, and upper cheeks. Defined, while lines pop against a dark background.

Pay Day

1938

William E. Smith

(American, 1913–1997)
America

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