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WPA

Clarence Lawson American

ca. 1938

Not on view

A sculptor and painter, Lawson studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and was the first African American to win their prestigious James Nelson Raymond travel fellowship, which he used to visit countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in 1938–39. The title of this lithograph may refer to the federal arts projects run under the Works Progress Administration, or to projects that employed individuals in construction and other fields during the Depression. Lawson’s worker, equipped with a sickle and shovel, appears as a symbol of the strength of American labor, and is rooted in diverse stylistic sources in African and ancient art.

WPA, Clarence Lawson (American, 1910–1988), Lithograph, with graphite additions — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: WPA

Artist: Clarence Lawson (American, 1910–1988)

Date: ca. 1938

Medium: Lithograph, with graphite additions

Dimensions: Sheet: 10 7/8 × 6 7/8 in. (27.6 × 17.5 cm)

Classification: Prints

Credit Line: Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 1999

Accession Number: 1999.529.110

Chronology

The United States and Canada, 1900 A.D.-present

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