The artwork titled “And While You’re in There, Find out Something About a Fellow Named Abe Lincoln” was created by Charles Alston in 1943. It is part of the Social Realism art movement and falls under the genre of posters. The artwork portrays figures addressing the issue of racial injustice within America, reflecting the tenor of the period in which it was created.
Depicted in the artwork is a striking scene with stark contrasts and evocative imagery. The scene shows an FBI agent escorting a man towards a cell while another figure, presumably representing Uncle Sam, stands in the background with an air of authority and contemplation. The poster’s caption at the bottom, “And While You’re in There, Find out Something About a Fellow Named Abe Lincoln,” adds a layer of historical reflection and irony. The background includes a news item headline, “U.S. Indicts Sugar Planters for Holding Negroes as Laborers in Peonage,” highlighting the social context and the piece’s commentary on racial exploitation. The detailed drawing and careful composition evoke the Social Realism movement, aiming to shed light on societal issues and advocate for reform.
