At the time he produced this print, Benton served on the faculty at the Kansas City Art Institute and frequently sought out models from surrounding communities. This approach was typical for American Regionalists such as Benton and other artists like John Steuart Curry and Grant Wood. The method provided the basis for a large body of work. In Benton’s hands, Regionalism represented a kind of stylized realism that focused on popular American scenes, primarily rural and working class. Benton developed his style in large history paintings and public murals – not always free from controversy.