A Pinch of Poverty

Some major contributing factors to poverty include less opportunities to work, low income, low living standards, lack of education, big families, addictions, mental issues, and the economy.

The painting "The Pinch of Poverty" displays an impoverished family of a mother and three children on the street corner. This painting portrays a negative view of poverty with a hint of a positive view and hope.
The message of this painting is that children are victims of poverty, but have hope and abilities to eventually get themselves out of poverty.
The contrast in this painting supports this message. The children are holding (and selling) bright yellow flowers. The mother is not. The bright yellow flowers contrast with the dark, gloomy background. The flowers symbolize hope for the children's futures. Also, the placement in this painting supports the message. Behind the family, there are bars, which may symbolize that they are caged in by poverty. Also, the little girl is standing, holding her basket of flowers, stepping forward, and looking ahead, as if she is looking into the future. This shows that the children have hope to work and make their way out of poverty.