Titled "The Pittsburgh Crucible Steel Co., Midland, PA c.1930s", this oil on linen Expressionist painting is part of my Industrial Art collection. The sheer massiveness of these steel mill complexes is simply staggering. Houses nearby formed the community of mill workers and their families.
Though the mills now are mostly gone, they helped establish a unique identity, bringing people of different backgrounds together. It was not glamorous work, and I am creating these images out of respect for the workers. The orange of the slag heaps references the constant heat of production as well as a foreshadowing of the eventual sunset, or collapse of the American steel industry in the 1970's-80's.
The reference photo I used is courtesy of the Library of Congress.
This painting was recently on exhibit at the Mr. Roboto Project in Pittsburgh, PA Oct.14-Dec.16, 2022 and can now be purchased here. It is unframed, with painted sides and a wire hanger ready for display or to be framed to suit your decor, 12" H x 16" W x 1" deep.
- Subject Matter: Industrial
- Created: May 01, 2022
- Collections: Architecture/Urbanscapes