Manifestacion By Antonio Berni

As an economics major the great depression has always been an interesting subject. Upon studying more about it I have learned that the effects of the great depression were felt around the world. The Argentine government was in turmoil because of it. During this ugly time in Argentina’s history the painter Antonio Berni was able to fight for social justice. His painting “Manifestacion” shows the struggle of the common Argentine of the day.
Antonio Berni was born in Rosario, Argentina in the year 1905. He was the descendant of Italian immigrants and was raised primarily by his widowed mother. His father died when he was young fighting in the first world war. As a young boy he was described as a child prodigy. He began to gain fame through
The buildings surrounding the crowd are drab and large. They seem almost to be a cell corralling the people instead of being homes. Also the home which are closer in view have open doors. I believe that this shows how living conditions were miserable in this time. Also in the background you can barely see any nature. There is a hint if a tree in the corner to remind you of what should be there. Besides that, the landscape seem barren except for the mob of people and the dreary homes. The only building that is more than two stories is the largest building in the far right hand corner of the painting. I believe the Berni did this intentionally to draw the eye from the bottom left corner towards the top right corner. The people of the crowd are also carrying signs. However, the only sign which is legible is one that reads “Pan y Trabajo”. This small sign conveys the desires of the people. They only want food and work. Berni is showing that the people of Argentina are not greeding or lazy. They only want food and work to support their families.
The purpose of this painting is to show how the people are being mistreated by the politicians and the elite. As I stated early Berni cared about social justice and he painted the common people as the protaginists of Argentina. The painting clearly is casting the blame of an impoverished society towards the people in power. Berni worked to help the people and he wanted to tell their story. I believe that he was able to capture a dark time in Argentina’s past and convey the importance of the common