Minneapolis Institute of Art

Strike Breakers (Company Violence)

Morris Topchevsky

Date

1937

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This eerie scene of gas mask wearing troops bearing weapons looks like it could be a scene straight out of World War I. Instead, it was based on a clash between police and workers in Waukegan, Illinois. In February 1937 workers at Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation just outside of Chicago went on strike because of unfair labor practices. They wanted to form a union to establish representation and safeguard fair wages and safety at the plant. The company convinced local law enforcement to break up the strike. The ensuing standoff lasted a week and resulted in workers being gassed out of the plant and arrested. Topchevsky, a lifelong activist for equality, was moved by the efforts of the workers and painted this image in honor of them. United States, Americas

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