Oldfield, Otis

The graphic art works photographed in this subseries were created by artists employed by the W.P.A. While many of the works depict the despair wrought by the depression and felt in equal measure in the cities and rural areas, other works capture the quiet strength of men, women and children at work, at play and at home. A significant number of artists represented here are women. Captions are attached to many of the photographs suggesting their use as press releases, and to specifically note the W.P.A.-related exhibition in which the work of art was included. All the exhibitions noted were held in New York City. The photographs were also created through the W.P.A,. in the New York City photographic division, and both the graphic artist and photographer are credited. The photographs are arranged alphabetically by artist. Also included are several sets of notes, some of which appear to list prices of various works. There is also an undated clipping about the Metropolitan Museum of Art selecting approximately 120 W.P.A. prints for its permanent collection, as well as an unidentified glass negative and a miniature exhibition checklist to the 1937 "Prints for the People" exhibition held by the W.P.A. at the International Art Center in New York.

It is believed that Zigrosser compiled this material while employed at the Weyhe Gallery. There are also two folders of his W.P.A. correspondence in Subseries A., filed under "Z," most of which he generated as PMA's curator of prints.