American Printmakers and the Federal Art Project; essay by Mary Francey / Prints in the Collection

American Printmakers and the Federal Art Project

Prints in the Collection

Lou Barlow (1908-)

Tenant Farmers, 1936

Wood Engraving

7 1/8# x 10 7/8"

Stamped: New York City WPA Art Project

Born in New York City, Lou Barlow graduated from the National Academy of Design in 1930. He worked for the Public Works of Art Project until it was liquidated in 1934, after which he was employed by the Federal Art Project from 1935 until 1941 when he began work as a medical illustrator for the United States Army during the Second World War. After discharge from the army, Barlow began a civilian career as a medical illustrator and, in addition, designed and created prosthetics. Originally Louis Breslow, he changed his name to Lou Barlow in 1951. Since retirement he has resumed printmaking and, in 1994, was named National Academician in recognition of his long and distinguished professional career.

Thomas Hart Benton ( 1880-1975)

Cradling Wheat,1939

Lithograph, ed. 250

Associated American Artists

Many of Thomas Hart Benton's prints were re-statements of themes first explored in his paintings. Cradling Wheat is after a painting, done in 1938, with the same title, and which is in the City Art Museum of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. The subject is a scene in rural East Tennessee that Benton observed in 1928.

Because Benton had no need to apply for relief he was never officially a Project artist although he collaborated with many who were, and taught at the Art Students League from 1926 to 1935 where Jackson Pollock was one of his students.

Henry Billings (1901-1985)

Men and Machines, 1931

Lithograph

Four more lithographs by Billings are included in the collection.

Although each represents a different subject, they share the title Men and Machines, and all were printed in 1931.

John Steuart Curry (1897-1946)

Prize Stallions, 1938

Lithograph

Edition 250

Associated American Artists

Isac Friedlander (1890-1968)

Warming Up, 1935

Etching

Leon Gilmour (1907-1996)

Cement Finishers, 1939

Wood Engraving

Harry Gottlieb (1895-1992)

Going to Work, 1941

WPA Serigraph

Change of Shift, 1940

WPA Serigraph

Irwin Hoffman (1901-1989)

Cigarette Underground, 1938

Etching

Joe Jones (1909-1963)

Untitled (Harvest Workers), 1940

Lithograph

Chet La More (1908-)

Untitled (Auto Workers), 1937

Lithograph

Paul Landacre (1893-1963)

Amateurs, 1937

Wood Engraving

Clare Leighton (1901-1989)

Cider Making

1933

Wood Engraving

Cutting, 1931

Wood Engraving

Loading, 1931

Wood Engraving

Sheep Shearing, 1932

Wood Engraving

Apple Picking, 1933

Wood Engraving

Herschel Levit (1912-)

Dam Builders, 1937

Lithograph

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