wpa

WPA Era Art Print Carlos Anderson Little Church Around Corner Empire State New York City

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The Little Church Around the Corner

Original Carlos Anderson (1905 to 1978) WPA depression-era lithograph print known as the “Little Church Around the Corner”,  although unsigned.   Known for his strong urban landscape images, he worked in the NYC Graphic Arts Division of the WPA program in the 1930s.
The church is located at 1 East 29th Street and is also known as the Church of the Transfiguration, and a popular site for weddings. Print is in excellent condition. Beautifully framed in rich walnut, under glass, matted.  

The actual church

 

  • Edition size of 25 or less.
  • Plate measures 14″ x 10″
  • Framed size  26 x 18″ 
  • Unsigned
  • Print and frame in excellent condition. There is some reflection in the center of the photo that is from my phone/camera. The Print itself is pristine with no such shadow. 
  • Also in the collection of many noted Museums, with a large group at the Springville Museum of Art in Utah. 
  • The last photo shows a vintage image of the actual church; not included with the print. 

Please visit our eBay Store Connectibles for wonderful vintage items.

WPA history Graphic Art PRINT Division Limited Editions

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After the crash of 1929 and the Depression that followed, 25% of the nation’s work force was unemployed. The Works Progress Administration/Federal Arts Project (known as WPA / FAP) was formed in 1935 as a work-relief program for artists who were admitted after establishing financial need and displaying artistic ability. In the 8 years of it’s existence, 1935-1943 when the program ended due to WW II, 5,000 muralists, painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and poster designers were provided a wage.

The Graphic Arts Division was established for printmakers and provided an extraordinary opportunity for creating a body of accessible, affordable public art limited edition prints that reflected the social mission to improve and change conditions. Subjects chosen for the work included typical scenes from American daily life, both rural and urban, as well as industrial scenes that have become icons of the era. Some worked with realism, others worked in styles of Cubism & Surrealism. Photos below show some of the rich and varied prints from the New York City Graphic Arts collection that we can offer.

Regardless of style, each print was only produced in LIMITED EDITIONS of up to 25 per image. Some prints are signed and stamped, some are not, but all that we present on EBAY have been authenticated and documented as original. The program ended in 1943 with our entry into the war, as the defense industry employed so many American Workers that unemployment was virtually a thing of the past. The WPA, which was no longer needed, ended.

Many of the prints at that time were destroyed or sold as scrap material. Some collections were fortunately saved by far-sighted private collectors and provide a fascinating look at a most unique time in our nation’s history.  A variety of WPA prints are available in the connectibles store.

WPA Museum Extension Project Print CHARLES II Framed

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We’re selling some interesting original authentic Works Project Administration WPA art from the 1930’s. This print from the MUSEUM EXTENSION PROJECT, which was a section that was created to help public schools obtain visual education aids designed to give “life and reality to the things children study.”

The print depicts the historical costumes titled CHARLES II – LOUIS XIV, 1660 AD to 1715 AD. Plate No 58 from the series.

The print particulars are:

  • It is matted and framed under glass. Glass was highly reflective making photography difficult; any shading you see is from reflection, NOT on print!
  • Visible print size measures 18″ x 24″, total size framed is 26″ x 32″.

Check out other WPA works of art in our connectibles store.

WPA Limited Edition signed Print GYULA ZILZER Milking Goat 1936 NYC

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Pictured here is one of our great  WPA Prints that are quite exceptional.  These are guaranteed authentic 1930’s works of art, NOT modern reproductions. All are from the New York City Graphic Arts Division and provide a unique opportunity to own both a striking work of art AND a true piece of United States “history.”

The featured print is a signed ORIGINAL 1936 etching print by artist GY ZILZER, (1898-1969) titled “Milking.”  Signed , inscribed, dated 1936, stamped with Federal Art Project NYC WPA stamp on lower center.  TERRIFIC lines, crisp image.

Gyula Zilzer born in Hungary, studied with Hans Hoffman in Paris. After working in the Federal Arts Project in New York City, Zilzer moved to California, where he became an illustrator & eventually contributed to numerous films. Many international art shows & awards, his work is included in collections of the Smithsonian Archives of American Art, British Museum and the New York Public Library.

PRINT Details are:

  • Image size approx 9″ x 12″; overall paper size is 16″ x 11″.
  • Signed, dated & inscribed by Ida Abelman, graphite bottom right &  bottom left. Print is #24 in edition.
  • Image is rich & excellent and fine impression on cream paper.

These WPA prints were issued in VERY limited edition sizes of up to 25; artists in the WPA program were only allowed to produce up to that number of each print, and many were carelessly destroyed when the program ended as we entered World War II.  Due to very small number of existing prints, you are unlikely to find this image again easily.  A variety of WPA Prints are available at connectibles.

WPA LE signed Prints Jacob Kainen & Saul Kovner

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We are featuring a group of WPA Prints that are quite exceptional. From our own personal MUSEUM quality collection, we are downsizing and able to offer a select group of these historical works of art. These are guaranteed authentic 1930’s works of art, NOT modern reproductions. All are from the New York City Graphic Arts Division and provide a unique opportunity to own both a striking work of art AND a true piece of United States “history.”

Two are pictured here, one a SIGNED ORIGINAL 1940s lithograph print by artist SAUL KOVNER, (American 1904-1982) titled “Skaters, Crotona Park.”  Terrific winter scene of the famous Bronx New York park.  Signed , inscribed in graphite center & lower right. For an extra whimsical touch, SAUL included his name & date on a sign IN the actual print.  The other is a SIGNED ORIGINAL 1930’s lithograph print by artist JACOB KAINEN, (American 1909-2001) titled “CONVALESCENT.”   Signed and titled, Federal Art Project NYC WPA stamp on lower left.

Jacob Kainen worked for the NYC FAP from 1935-1942. He became a print-maker, curator of the Smithsonian’s collection of graphic arts, and a collector of prints, particularly those of German expressionists. During the 1930’s he became a social realist & influential member of the NY Graphics Arts division; After WWII he moved to the Washington, DC area & assumed a leadership role in the arts community. Later work became primarily abstract.

See more of these wonderful works of art at connectibles.