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What is a WPA mural?

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What is a WPA mural?
A WPA mural was a public work of art owing to a federal government program that came to fruition in the United States during the 1930s. WPA stands for Works Progress Administration. As part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, the government-funded Works Progress Administration hired artists, illustrators, graphic designers and more to paint murals and create sculptures in schools, municipal buildings and elsewhere all over the United States — the effort, which included teaching art classes to children and budding artists, was put in place to build morale and offer employment during the Great Depression.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
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Massive WPA Mural Study
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We acquired his large mural study out of an old Hudson River valley estate.
Category

Vintage 1930s American Paintings

Materials

Paint

Massive WPA Mural Study

Massive WPA Mural Study

$7,500
WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers
By Anton Refregier
Located in New York, NY
WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers Anton Refregier (1905-1979) Mural Study, Untitled 7 ¾ x 22 inches (sight) Gouache, pencil, and charcoal o...
Category

1940s American Modern Mixed Media

Materials

Charcoal, Gouache, Board, Pencil

WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers

Anton Refregier
WPA Mural Study Mid-Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Workers, c. 1940s

$15,000
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century Michael Loew (1907-1985) Detail for Mural (Social Security Building Washington D.C.) 24 x 24 inches ...
Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century

Michael Loew
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century, 1940

$12,500
Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century
By Carlos Lopez
Located in New York, NY
Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century Carlos Lopez (1910-1953) "Bounty" WPA Mural Study for Michigan Post Office 19 ½ x 22 ½ inches Oil on B...
Category

1940s American Realist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century

Carlos Lopez
Post Office WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Modern 20th Century, 1940

$15,000
WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers
By Seymour Fogel
Located in New York, NY
WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers Seymour Fogel (1911-1984) Mural Study, untitled 11 x 49 1/4 inches (sight) Tempera on board Provenance:...
Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Egg Tempera, Board

WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers

Seymour Fogel
WPA Mural Study American Scene Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Workers, c. 1930s/40s

$50,000
"The Return of Timothy Pickering, " WPA Mural Study Painting, 1939
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Full of atmosphere, rich color and drama, this mural study by Dunbar Beck was executed in preparation for his lobby painting at the US Post Office in Danvers, Massachusetts. Until it...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Paintings

Materials

Gouache

"The Return of Timothy Pickering, " WPA Mural Study Painting, 1939

"The Return of Timothy Pickering, " WPA Mural Study Painting, 1939

$3,200
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