A Pinch of Poverty

The main contributing factors to poverty are unemployment, little/no income, inflation, scarce food supply, and being in poverty itself. The picture has a negative light because of the dark colors throughout the painting and the background seems to be in a mist or fog. The colors seem to be washed out and the main focus is on the people because they are the darkest in the picture with the exception of their faces, which are very pale. Poverty is an awful and stressful situation that creates an unhealthy environment. With it being such a terrible situation to put in, it seems as if the artist was trying to communicate that it wasn't their fault; rather it was a situation brought upon them. Two elements that enhance the message are the dark colors and the facial expressions on the people. Only dark and bland colors are used throughout the painting. The only bright colors are yellow flowers to create a contrast between the brightness of the flowers and the darkness of being in poverty. The background as well as their clothes, along with the black streets all come together to show the extreme stress of poverty. The facial expressions on the people are solemn and look as if they are lonely and hurt. It almost seems as if they don't know what to do and have nothing to look forward to, enhancing how truly bad poverty is.