The American Regionalism movement, also known as the American Scene Painters, began during the Great Depression in the 1930. The movement is divided into two groups of artists with different approaches. The Social Realists were devoted to depicting the social troubles of the suffering urban lower class. The Regionalists painted more positive subjects, hoping to lead the nation out of the depression by providing hope for a better future. This group often painted midwestern rural scenes with themes of hard work and self-preservation.

Reginald Marsh (1898 - 1954)
Reginald Marsh began his career as a newspaper illustrator. After studying in Paris from 1925 to 1926, he devoted himself to oil painting. His subject matter was life New York city, particularly the lower class life around Coney Island and the Bowery District. His work was not as much of a social protest as it was a display of Marsh desire to paint colorful but ugly subjects. Marsh himself hailed from a wealthy family and his work can be seen as a rejection of his affluent upbringing.