Social Security and the Lost Freedom

Object NamePrint

Artist / Maker Jay Norwood Darling (American, 1876 - 1962)

Date1950

MediumPhotoetching and drypoint on paper

Dimensions9 3/8 x 11 in. (23.8 x 27.9 cm)

ClassificationsPrints and Printing Plates

Credit LineGift of the J. N. "Ding" Darling Foundation. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM82.184

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextDarling's Social Security and the Lost Freedoms is a 1930's interpretation of growing old and probably autobiographical. Darling had retired the previous year. In this print, he depicts a wild duck, grounded in a barnyard, looking up at high-flying flocks of migrating ducks. Traditionally, retirement meant limitation brought by old age, seclusion and financial decline. Today, age poses fewer limitations as people are living longer, healthier lives than when the artist created this image. Gordon Meany, who printed this image recalls that Darling began this print in the 1930's and that originally it had nothing to do with social security as the title implies. Meany says that its first title was "The Grounded Pilot" which referred to the duck who could no longer lead the flock and by analogy, to Herbert Hoover.

SignedJ.N. Darling in pencil, lower right

Locations