A fine watercolor painting on paper in the style of the "New Deal" by American George Melville Smith (B 1879) measuring approximately 25 1/4 x 30 1/2 inches framed and 16 3/4 x 22 1/2 inches unframed. The painting is matted behind glass. This painting originated from a house in Plano, IL. An early 20th work with some rippling to the paper due to its age. A “New Deal”/ Works Progress Administration (WPA), artist whose worked has graced Chicago area institutions including a large mural in the suburb of Elmhurst, IL.

In 1936 George Melville Smith was commissioned to paint a mural on the east wall of the lobby, above the postmaster's office. This was part of the WPA, a federal program during the Depression aimed at making art accessible to people and, at the same time, providing work for unemployed artists. The mural remains in the post office today. Most of the Post Office works of art were funded through commissions under the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture (later known as The Section of Fine Arts) and not the WPA.

"Often mistaken for WPA art, post office murals were actually executed by artists working for the Section of Fine Arts. Commonly known as "the Section," it was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department. Headed by Edward Bruce, a former lawyer, businessman, and artist, the Section's main function was to select art of high quality to decorate public buildings if the funding was available. By providing decoration in public buildings, the art was made accessible to all people." from "Articles from EnRoute : Off The Wall: New Deal Post Office Murals" by Patricia Raynor

Thanks for looking at this fantastic painting. If purchased, it can be shipped and insured based on your requirements.

On Jun-12-11 at 16:09:58 PDT, seller added the following information:

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In 1936 George Melville Smith was commissioned to paint a mural on the east wall of the lobby, above the postmaster's office. This was part of the WPA, a federal program during the Depression aimed at making art accessible to people and, at the same time, providing work for unemployed artists. The mural remains in the post office today. Most of the Post Office works of art were funded through commissions under the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture (later known as The Section of Fine Arts) and not the WPA. "Often mistaken for WPA art, post office murals were actually executed by artists working for the Section of Fine Arts. Commonly known as "the Section," it was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department. Headed by Edw

In 1936 George Melville Smith was commissioned to paint a mural on the east wall of the lobby, above the postmaster's office. This was part of the WPA, a federal program during the Depression aimed at making art accessible to people and, at the same time, providing work for unemployed artists. The mural remains in the post office today. Most of the Post Office works of art were funded through commissions under the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture (later known as The Section of Fine Arts) and not the WPA. "Often mistaken for WPA art, post office murals were actually executed by artists working for the Section of Fine Arts. Commonly known as "the Section," it was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department. Headed by Edw