Girl Sewing

Bernard Schardt’s graphic art "Girl Sewing” displays Schardt’s style the most, showing an African American woman at home sitting alone in her home sewing. Schardt print here is a color wood cut which was a popular choice among artists during this period. Which is why Schardt chose a geometric style especially in the background of the print. Schardt uses bright colors such as orange and blue for her dress, as well as with the couch. However, the floor and furniture use darker colors, to show the mundaneness of the scene unfolding. The subject is casual clothing, nothing that seems to be expensive or extravagant, and she is wearing slippers. Schardt uses the space in the painting, with the subject dominating it. Schardt doesn’t choose an exciting scene nor a happy subject, he stresses the ordinariness of the girl. The girl could be another face in the crowd, and that is what makes her the perfect subject for this specific period. Schardt's focus during this time is to display the ordinary and the unseen, which is why his use of the subject taking up the entirety of the print making the viewer focus on someone they might never have before.

Schardt, Bernard P., 1904-1979

Lay, Giavanna (description and biography)

Helquist, Morgan (photography)

New Deal Museum, Mount Morris NY

Object #FA 1491

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jpeg, 1.3 MB

Color woodcut on paper

Image: 11 x 13 3/4 in.
Sheet: 15 1/2 x 18 3/4 in.