Grace Finney

Statement

For my senior inquiry project, I am exploring the connection between Swedish immigrant artists and the American Regionalist movement. From the mid 19th to early 20th century, over a million Swedes immigrated to the United States, particularly to the Midwest, where they formed tight communities that supported later arrivals. At the same time, American Regionalism was gaining traction as artists sought to define an authentic American identity and experience. Despite their contributions to art depicting the same landscapes, rural values, and public art commissions, Swedish American artists have largely been overlooked in the discourse surrounding the Regionalist movement. My research aims to highlight their artistic achievements and argue for their inclusion in the broader conversation about American art.

To achieve this, I will examine the works of Swedish American artists such as Olof Krans and Birger Sandzen, comparing their aesthetic and thematic similarities to well-known Regionalist painters like Grant Wood, Thomas Hart Benton, and John Steuart Curry. I will analyze their depictions of the American landscape, rural life, and public commissions, particularly in the context of New Deal policies. Additionally, I will visit museums, and historical sites such as the Swanson Center, Bishop Hill, and the Swedish American Museum to deepen my understanding of these artists and their environments. By integrating Swedish immigrant artists into the framework of Regionalism, my project will provide a more inclusive perspective on American identity and artistic history.