George Tooker’s 1950 painting, Subway, captures the subway as a frightening place, prison-like environment. A woman, in the center of the picture, looks worry and fatigue with the surroundings. Not only does the woman express uneasy emotion, but two old men, with old-fashion hats behind her, also show blank staring-faces. Even, the other commuters in the subway demonstrate an uncomfortable feeling as well.
The woman and some persons seemingly gaze at something freaky that makes them uncomfortable and dislikable. It could be something wrong or bad. However, they ignore and let it pass even though they ostensibly disagree with it.
According to the title of the painting, the site must take place in a subway station but indeed; the interior is like a prison with black bars and very low ceiling. The columns look very rigid and tasteless. It strengthens the unfriendly characters showed by the people inside the painting.
Overall, George Tooker maybe wants to send a message that nowadays we live in a gloomy world with less or even without humanity. Indifference, anxiety or hopeless dominate our feelings rather than the thoughtfulness, warmness or hopefulness.
