Social Security and the Lost Freedoms
Object NamePrinting Plate
Artist / Maker
Jay Norwood Darling
(American, 1876 - 1962)
MediumCopper
Dimensions11 1/8 x 9 1/2 in. (28.3 x 24.1 cm)
ClassificationsPrints and Printing Plates
Credit LineGift of Christopher Koss. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University.
Object numberUM2006.44
Status
Not on viewLabel TextThe words "Social Security" in the title of the print could refer to Darlin'gs own retirement, which had begun in 1949. Darling depicted a wild duck, grounded in a barnyard, looking up at high-flying flocks of migrating ducks. This could be interpreted as an autobiographical comment on growing old.
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.
Object Name: Prints or Drawings
Jay Norwood Darling
c. 1950
Object number: um95.71
Object Name: Portrait
Object number: U2006.105
Object Name: Printing Plate
Jay Norwood Darling
Object number: UM2006.60
Object Name: Printing Plate
Jay Norwood Darling
Object number: UM2006.50
Object Name: Print or Drawing
Jay Norwood Darling
Object number: um95.72
Object Name: Painting
Henry Rossmann
1943
Object number: U2006.104
Object Name: Printing Plate
Jay Norwood Darling
Object number: UM2006.51