Introduction
After five long years of hard work, I will be graduating from college and getting my Bachelor’s Degree in mid-May of this year! As a kid, I was terrified of the possibility that I would not even be able to go to college, so this is a huge relief for me. Unfortunately, this means that this will be the last article that I write for Her Campus. To celebrate this amazing achievement, I decided to write an article highlighting one hundred years of art related to graduating.
1920s: American University Graduation (1924) by Unknown Artist
American University Graduation is a photograph that was taken in 1924 by an unknown artist. It depicts a photo of graduates from American University alongside some of the college’s faculty. All of the people in the photo are wearing graduation caps and gowns.
I like this photo because it reminds me of the 21st-century graduation photos that I have seen. The students seem to be around my age, so they remind me of myself to an extent. I also like that this photo provides a glimpse into the lives of the people depicted in it.
1930s: Irving Fine at Graduation, Harvard College, 1937 (1937) by an Unknown Artist
Irving Fine at Graduation, Harvard College, 1937 is a photograph that was taken in 1937 by an unknown artist. It shows Irving Fine, a graduate of Harvard College, on his graduation day. He is wearing a graduation cap and gown in the photo.
I like this photo because it reminds me of the pictures that my family took of my sister during her graduation. I also like that it provides a peek into Fine’s life.
1940s: Ruth Lucas in Cap and Gown, June 1947 (1947) by Robert H. McNeill
Ruth Lucas in Cap and Gown, June 1947, is a photograph that was taken in June of 1947 by Robert H. McNeill. This artwork depicts Ruth Lucas in her graduation cap and gown.
Once again, this photo reminds me of my sister’s graduation photos. I also enjoy that Lucas is smiling in the photo. It makes me wonder whether she was happy to graduate or simply smiling for the camera.
1950s: Trinity College. Student in Graduation Gown Standing in Doorway Trinity College Campus (1952) by Theodore Horydczak
Trinity College. Student in Graduation Gown Standing in Doorway Trinity College Campus is a photograph that was taken in 1952 by Theodore Horydczak. It depicts a student at Trinity College standing in a large doorway on the college’s campus.
I like this picture because it is more visually appealing and artistic than the previously mentioned photos. I also like that it shows the student as a small figure in it. It reminds me of the fact that millions of college students graduate annually, so one person’s graduation is simply a small part of a massive whole. This is especially apparent when one attends a graduation ceremony and sees hundreds or thousands of students in the same graduating class of a single college.
1960s: The Diploma (1962) by Royal College of Art & David Hockey
The Diploma (1962) is a print that was printed by the Royal College of Art and made by David Hockney. The artwork was made by Hockney out of spite as a way to criticize the Royal College of Art in London. He was unable to graduate at the time because he did not fulfill all of the graduation requirements for the General Studies Department. Hockney would eventually go on to graduate from the Royal College of Art in London. In the artwork, Robin Darwin, the College Rector at the college, is depicted with two faces and holding a diploma. The General Studies Department’s tutor is depicted lifting Darwin. The tutor is about to be eaten by John Moon, the college’s Registrar. Beneath the weight of these men are students who attend the college.
I like this artwork because it reminds me of the anxiety I often felt throughout my life regarding my academic career. More specifically, it reminds me of my fear that I will never be able to graduate. I felt, and still feel, this fear despite regularly receiving good grades in my classes, but it still terrifies me. I sympathize with Hockney’s frustration, as I would be heartbroken if I found out I wasn’t graduating.
1970s: High School Graduation Gown (1979) by Oak Hall
The High School Graduation Gown is a piece of clothing created by Oak Hall in 1979. It is associated with Walt Whitman High School. It looks like a standard black graduation gown.
I like this item because it is similar to other graduation gowns that I have seen while attending graduations in the 2020s. This gown has a timeless style, and I like the idea of graduates separated by around five decades wearing the same outfit to celebrate graduation.
1980s: Untitled (1980s) by John H. White
Untitled is a photograph taken by John H. White in the 1980s. It is a black and white photo of a child smiling at his graduation. The boy is wearing a graduation cap and gown and is surrounded by other graduating children.
I like this photo because it shows an adorable child who is clearly happy to graduate. White also does a good job of making the child the focus of this photo. Finally, I think the black and white color scheme works in the photo’s favor.
1990s: Drawing (1994) by Victor Ekpuk
Drawing is a drawn portrait of a woman in a graduation cap. It is a Nigerian artwork created by Victor Ekpuk in 1994.
I like this artwork because the depiction of this woman is drawn in a somewhat stylistic art style, but is still realistic enough for me to recognize her if I saw her. I also like that she seems proud of herself in the image, as her facial expression is both happy and confident. I hope to feel this way during my graduation.
2000s: Richard, RISD Graduation, 2005 (2005) by Camilo J. Vergara
Richard, RISD Graduation, 2005, is a picture taken by Camilo J. Vergara in 2005. It depicts a student named Richard graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). It was taken in Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
I like this artwork because Richard looks like he is genuinely happy to graduate rather than simply smiling for the camera. I also like his outfit, as this is the first graduation photo I have seen that shows somebody wearing something other than the typical cap and gown.
2010s: Graduation at the Apollo Theater, Democracy Prep Charter High School, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem, 2015 (2015) by Camilo J. Vergara
Graduation at the Apollo Theater, Democracy Prep Charter High School, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem, 2015 is a picture that was taken in 2015 by Camilo J. Vergara. It depicts graduates from Democracy Prep Charter High School during their graduation in New York, New York, United States of America.
I like this artwork because it reminds me of the graduation photos that I have seen. It also provides a glimpse into the lives of these graduates. I also like the color of the graduation robes that the graduates are wearing.
2020s: Dolores Huerta Middle School Graduation Ceremony, Burroughs High, Burbank, California (2021) by Cory Doctorow
Dolores Huerta Middle School Graduation Ceremony, Burroughs High, Burbank, California, is a photograph taken by Cory Doctorow in 2021. In this photo, a line of students walks past a bunch of white plastic chairs on a football field during their graduation ceremony. These students are graduating from Dolores Huerta Middle School, a middle school in Burbank, California, United States of America. In the background are attendees sitting in the bleachers of the football field. This photo was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the students and guests are wearing masks
I like this artwork because it is an honest glimpse into a graduation ceremony. It does not glorify the students or the faculty of the school, nor does it glorify students or faculty in general. This graduation ceremony also shows that life goes on and people earn achievements worth celebrating, as it depicts a celebratory graduation during a global pandemic. As somebody who is terrified of the future, this is a nice thought to have.