Overview
As humanity has evolved, hours and days have become defining terms of how time is spent generally divided between two functions: work and leisure. In each there is purpose; either we are at rest, doing something enjoyable, or we are engaged in activity that supports us and our life, mostly defined as “work.” This installation demonstrates how the definition of work has evolved significantly.
As societies matured, work beyond needs for basic survival became distributed and more specialized. Earning a living, as we term it now, can take many forms in today’s world. While there are still laborers doing the hard, manual labor necessary in some occupations, the development of industrialization along with advances in science, chemistry, and engineering, have produced a diverse field of work. These industries reflect the complexity of our world, the distinctive productivity of individuals, and distinctive forms of labor.
Above (left to right): Camille Pissarro (French, 1831–1903), Peasant Laboring (Le paysan béchant), 1896, lithograph on paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Jr., in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Sr., 1985.4.2; Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669), The Goldsmith, 1655, etching on laid paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Jean K. Weil in memory of Adolph “Bucks” Weil, Jr., 1999.7.122
Gallery
Organizer
Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Alabama.
Exhibition Sponsors
Annual support for exhibitions is made possible by the following sponsors and grantors:
Lead Sponsors and Grantors: Alabama State Council on the Arts, Art Bridges Foundation, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, Mr. and Mrs. Barrie H. Harmon, Ill, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC, Lamar Advertising of Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. James K. Lowder, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and Mrs. Helen Till
Sponsors: Mr. Owen Aronov, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Runkle, Sabel Steel, The S. Adam Schloss Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, III, Laurie J. Weil, D.V.M. and Dr. Tommy Wool, and Ms. Helen Crump Wells
Co-sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Adams, Alabama Trucking Association, AmeriFirst Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Campbell II, CAPTRUST, Dr. Robert Combs, Crum Family Charitable Foundation, Mrs. Camille Elebash-Hill, Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc., Mrs. Ann Hubbert, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Ives, Mr. and Mrs. L. Daniel Morris, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Mussafer, Dr. Alfred J. Newman, Jr., River Bank & Trust, Russell Construction of Alabama, Inc., Ms. Micki Beth Stiller, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Taylor, and Warren Averett, LLC.
Special thanks to the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Related Exhibitions
Workers Over Time
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On view in the Weil Graphic Arts Study Center
America250
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Community Reflections: We Americans
September 12 through November 29, 2026
On view in the ArtWorks Community Gallery
