Federal Art Project (Wisconsin)

FAP (Wisconsin)
Works Progress Administration
Works Projects Administration
WPA

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This is a drawing of a person pushing a loaded cart. The figure is bent over in a strained pose, with muscles visible under the clothing. The cart is filled with sacks. The drawing shows a moment of labor, with strong lines and shading. In the background, there are outlines of buildings and other figures. The composition emphasizes the physicality and movement of transporting goods, possibly relating to labor and industry.
Santos Zingale, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Junk Man, 1938, lithograph in black on wove paper, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.5183

Junk Man

Santos Zingale, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1938 · lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2008.115.5183

The image contains a symmetrical arrangement of bold lines and shapes on a blue background. Two curved leaves flank a vertical line of small, oval shapes resembling a stylized plant or leaf cluster. The design is abstract, with two leaf-like figures on either side - one filled with alternating dark and light blue segments, and the other with alternating dark and yellow segments. The central vertical stem-like line consists of stacked, rounded shapes resembling leaflets. The central motif suggests a decorative, abstract representation of nature, resembling a simplified branch with two contrasting leaves. The background features intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, possibly suggesting a plaid pattern.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Plaid Pattern with Leaves, 1937-1938, color woodcut on blue cotton fabric, Corcoran Collection, 2015.143.1505.3

Plaid Pattern with Leaves

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on blue cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2015.143.1505.3

This is a painting of a figure running alongside a spider. The composition features a figure depicted in a whimsical, illustrative style. The figure wears a red and black checkered top with long sleeves and a green skirt adorned with dots. The hair is golden and depicted with bold, wavy lines. An exaggerated spider figure is also present, characterized by large eyes and minimalistic legs. Small flower motifs scatter throughout the background. The art utilizes flat colors and simple shapes, reminiscent of mid-20th-century children's book illustrations.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Little Miss Muffet, 1937-1938, color woodcut on cotton fabric, Corcoran Collection, 2015.143.1505.2

Little Miss Muffet

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2015.143.1505.2

The image features elongated, flowing lines and repetitive floral patterns in an abstract representation. A figure resembling a woman with dark hair is depicted wearing a patterned dress with circular motifs and holding a sitting antelope. Birds in flight are scattered around the scene. To the right is a red rectangle with stylized leaf patterns against a predominantly blue background. The composition suggests a pastoral scene with animal-human interaction in an abstract artistic style.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Reclining Woman with Goat and Doves, 1937-1938, color woodcut on gray cotton fabric, Corcoran Collection, 2015.143.1505.8

Reclining Woman with Goat and Doves

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on gray cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2015.143.1505.8

This is a painting of a symmetrical floral and leaf pattern. In the center, there is a circular floral design with petal-like structures radiating outwards. Surrounding it, four large leaves are arranged in a cross-like formation, each with intricate vein patterns. The corners feature three blue-tipped floral buds. The entire pattern is enclosed within a double-bordered square, with scalloped detailing along the inner border. This is in style of traditional folk art, featuring detailed line work and natural motifs.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Pennsylvania Dutch Leaf Square, 1937-1938, color woodcut on brown cotton fabric, Corcoran Collection, 2015.143.1505.11

Pennsylvania Dutch Leaf Square

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on brown cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2015.143.1505.11

The image shows a collection of thick, bold lines forming an abstract figure with angular limbs, in a seated, wide-legged pose. Dots decorate the figure's clothing, with small floral shapes encircling them. A loaf-like shape rests beneath the figure.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Little Jack Horner, 1937-1938, color woodcut on cotton fabric, Corcoran Collection, 2015.143.1505.6

Little Jack Horner

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2015.143.1505.6

A circular pattern is formed by black, swirling shapes radiating outward. Within the circle is a stylized figure resembling a horse or quadruped with a curved back. The figure has a blue, cloud-like shape on its back. The background is textured and the image appears to be taped to a surface.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Horse, 1937-1938, woodcut in black and blue on cotton fabric, Gift of Bob Stana and Tom Judy, 2019.109.87.3

Horse

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · woodcut in black and blue on cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2019.109.87.3

This is a drawing of a pattern featuring stylized reindeer and heart motifs. The image consists of a repeating design on a red background, which includes black silhouettes of reindeer with whimsical features like curled tails and prominent antlers. Interspersed among the reindeer are stylized hearts with sunburst-like rays emanating from them, as well as smaller heart shapes and dot patterns.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Deer and Heart, 1937-1938, woodcut in black on red cotton fabric, Gift of Bob Stana and Tom Judy, 2019.109.86.6

Deer and Heart

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · woodcut in black on red cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2019.109.86.6

The image shows a repetitive abstract pattern. The pattern includes figures resembling shepherds in red robes interspersed with sheep-like animals, set against a neutral background with sporadic green patches. The shepherds hold staffs, creating a rhythmic motif. The simple line work and repetition of shapes give the arrangement a lively and uniform appearance, evoking pastoral scenes.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Shepherd and Sheep, 1937-1938, color woodcut on cotton fabric, Gift of Bob Stana and Tom Judy, 2019.109.86.4

Shepherd and Sheep

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · color woodcut on cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2019.109.86.4

The image shows an arrangement of dark blue diagonal lines and curves on a lighter beige background, forming an abstract pattern on a fabric square. The lines and curves intersect to create shapes resembling stylized birds in flight, with wing-like formations and curved beaks. These figures are tessellated and repeat consistently across the fabric, reflecting bird motifs commonly seen in textile designs.
American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin), Bird, 1937-1938, woodcut in gray on blue cotton fabric, Gift of Bob Stana and Tom Judy, 2019.109.86.1

Bird

American 20th Century, Federal Art Project (Wisconsin) · 1937-1938 · woodcut in gray on blue cotton fabric ·  Accession ID  2019.109.86.1