Accession Number1972/2.20
TitleJoseph the Carpenter
Artist(s)Carlos LopezObject Creation Date1930-1952Medium & Supportwatercolor on illustration boardDimensions 24 in x 29 7/8 in (60.96 cm x 75.88 cm)
Credit LineGift of The Ann Arbor Art Association, in memory of Ruby S. ChurchhillSubject matterIn the 1930s and 1940s, Lopez did many paintings of laborers, specifically blue color workers in Michigan. Here, three carpenters work to build a large wooden boat. The nearly flat people, darker colors, and depiction of the rough life of laborers is similar to his other paintings of the 1940s. Religion was not a common theme in Lopez's work, however the title
Joseph the Carpenter and the crosses in the background of the piece imply a reference to Christianity.
Physical DescriptionThis print shows a shipyard, with three laborers working on the hull of a large boat under a dark sky.
Primary Object ClassificationPaintingCollection AreaModern and ContemporaryRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Bible stories
Christianity
Cuban
boats
buildings
carpentry (process)
fences
laborers
modern and contemporary art
religious objects
religious symbolism
ships