"The Pinch of Poverty"- Thomas Benjamin Kennington

What, as you see it, is the major contributing factor to poverty? Looking at this piece of art how does the artist portray poverty (positive light/negative light)? What is the artist's vision about poverty (what's the message)? Identify two artistic techniques that help the artist achieve his/her vision, and explain how they do that.

Poverty is caused by many different issues and can affect anyone. One of the major conributing factors to poverty is little opportunity. Most humans who are born into upper classes will stay in those upper classes due to expectations and large opportunities. It is the same on the other side of the spectrum, those born into the lower classes will likely stay in those classes due to lack of opportunities and money.  

Thomas Benjamin Kennington is the artist of “The Pinch of Poverty.” Kennington helps to portray the message that poverty as sad and dreary with the woman and little boy. They show this sadness and loss of hope by looking mournful. However, Thomas also shows hope and courage in the little girl stepping foward and selling flowers. The brightly colored flowers and baby dressed in red are not only the focal points of the picture but also show hope.  He also shows the contrast in those with money and those in poverty by placing shops with people in the background. Kennington also shows isolation from the people at the shops and the people in poverty because those in poverty are sitting on a corner across the road from the shops.

                Kennington uses positioning and coloring as two artistic techniques to show poverty. The picture is mainly in dark, saddening colors. Then, he placed yellow flowers and a baby dressed in red in the middle as the focal point.  The girl is selling the flowers showing that she may have a better future. Thomas also shows that the girl may have a future with positioning. The woman and boy are both sitting down, cuddled together and not trying to do anything to help their situation. The girl however is separated from the two other main characters and is selling flowers, stepping away from the others and attempting to improve her situation with the flowers.