Barn and Tree

Art Historical Context

**Barn and Tree**, a lithograph by Charles Henry Alston created 1935 and 1943, captures a simple yet evocative rural scene featuring a sturdy barn framed by a lone tree. Measuring 9 × 12 inches, this print exemplifies the accessibility of lithography—a planographic printing technique that allowed artists to produce multiple editions affordably, making art available to wider audiences during challenging times. Produced under the Works Progress Administration (WPA a New Deal program launched amid the Great Depression, Al's work reflects the era's federal efforts to employ artists and document American life. The New York City WPA's gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1943 underscores its role in preserving these public projects. Lithographs like this one were vital for community art initiatives, blending technical precision with everyday subjects to celebrate the American landscape. Alston's depiction of barns evokes the heartland's resilience, inviting viewers to appreciate the quiet beauty of rural architecture. Housed in the Met's Drawings and Prints department, this piece highlights how WPA artists transformed economic hardship into cultural legacy, one print at a time.

About the Artist

Charles Henry Alston|WPA (American| ) · 1907 | –1977 |

American, Charlotte, North Carolina 1907–1977 New York|