“The First One Hundred Years” is an artwork created by Archibald Motley between 1963 and 1972. This oil on canvas piece belongs to the Art Deco movement and measures 48 x 40 cm. It falls under the genre of cityscape portraying a myriad of interconnected elements reflective of a complex and tumultuous urban environment.
The artwork presents a vibrant and multifaceted scene using a dominant palette of blue and dark tones. The cityscape is imbued with surreal and haunting imagery including various human and non-human figures, contributing to an atmosphere of tension and confrontation. Central to the composition is a prominent tree with outstretched branches that reach out like ominous arms, becoming an allegorical backdrop for the events depicted. The painting incorporates stark symbols such as ghostly figures clad in costumes resembling the Ku Klux Klan, a noosed figure hanging from a branch, and placards of protest and resistance. There are also faces, both devoid of bodies and embedded within the architectural constructs, signifying the inextricable link between people and their urban context. Architectural elements such as an imposing church or cathedral-like building, reminiscent of Gothic style, loom over the landscape, while smaller vignettes, like stained glass windows, evoke scenes of conflict and introspection. The overall composition of “The First One Hundred Years” renders a historical narrative through its symbolic representation of oppression, resilience, and the relentless struggle for civil rights.
