Horse and Buggy Days; Visual Rhetoric

“Horse and Buggy Days,” by Paul Detlefsen, once was one of many popular paintings created by the artist. Detlefsen, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1899. His work became popular throughout the US for his bright, down home, country themes. While working in Hollywood on backdrops, he was awarded an academy award for Best Visual Scene. (Paul Detlefsen Biography, Web) Although all the oil paintings he created seemed very realistic, they were all created fictionally. “Horse and Buggy Days,” has many sizes of prints available, but the original version was an oil painting on canvas, and was approximately 36 inches by 48 inches.

Detlefsen, became a successful artist during some of the hardest periods of our country’s history. His paintings swept the nation during the Great Depression, WWII, and the Korean War. The reason behind this can only be made by assumptions, but when looking at his art work, you find yourself feeling as if you are back in a simple way of life, safe from all the troubles of the world. In his painting, “Horse and Buggy Days,” this is particularly true. A simple buggy lay where it was unhitched while a blacksmith fixes the horse’s shoe. A young boy, barefoot, and in in overalls, stands and observes the process. In a time when our country was at its worst, Paul Detlefsen, created tranquility. He painted scenes with bright colors, deep greens and captured the image of a time when the country only had concerns of everyday, normal life. He did not focus on the war torn country, the devastation of the depression, or families struggling to make ends meet. Life during those times seemed dark and melancholy, but Paul Detlefsen, added the much needed vibrant color of life to a hard period of time.

With our current studies of the hardships behind farming, and the depression, World Wars, and other such experiences, Paul Detlefsen, through his artwork, allowed his viewers to be swept back in time to a life without the heartaches of war, drought, and depression. There are no haunting images, and no source of modern distractions. The people portayed in the painting, are doing what they love. They are not weary with troubled thoughts, war, or lack of necessities. They are a people that are living a life of happiness by working with their hands and enjoying God’s creations. When times get rough, it is the people who become content with what they have that are the most successful in finding happiness.

Mason, Forrest. "Horse & Buggy Days" Photograph. Webshots. Examiner.com, 15 Nov. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Unknown. "Paul Detlefsen Biography." Paul Detlefsen Biography. 2015. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.