During the Great Depression of the 1930s and into the early years of World War II, the Federal government sponsored a variety of art projects to provide work for unemployed artists. This remarkable effort is presented here with a unique selection of artworks, documents, and photographs provided by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Within this collection, users may view...

Drawing on the extensive holdings of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, this online exhibit presents a sample of the rather diverse set of cartoon and caricature books in their holdings. Beginning with an introductory essay by Kent C. Boese, the exhibit continues on with biographies of the artists whose work is featured in the exhibit (such as Charles Dana...

Led by Walter Gropius and his fellow design collaborators, the Bauhaus was one of the most important and influential design schools of the twentieth century, extending its influence throughout much of Europe and the United States. Within the Bauhaus there was also a strong interest in designing objects for everyday life and utility. Drawing on the collection of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at...

Many works created as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and 1940s no longer exist. Some of these artworks were temporary, and others have been removed due to insensitive renovation projects in public buildings like schools and post offices. This initiative from the Connecticut State Library was the result of a bill passed by Connecticut representative David McCluskey,...