Joseph Vogel and WPA/Federal Art Project, New York City
Vision
1938
Scroll
Physical Qualities
Crayon, brush and tusche, and spatter lithograph with scraping, Sheet: 404 x 585 mm. (15 7/8 x 23 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
The United States General Services Administration, formerly Federal Works Agency, Works Progress Administration, on extended loan to the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Object Number
L.1943.9.343
In Joseph Vogel’s Vision, a lone figure surveys unfolding catastrophes—the fascist victory in Spain and the looming threat of a global war. Jewish soldiers like Vogel made up
over a quarter of the International Brigades, the antifascist volunteers coordinated by the Communist International organization. Some recognized an opportunity to fight the spread of antisemitism, or the prejudice against or hatred of Jewish people, by confronting fascism in Spain.
Florence Kent’s Jewish Refugees portrays the consequences of the continued spread of fascism across Europe. Here, a multi-generational group of Jewish people holds one another while tents strain against the punishing wind. Created only months before the start of World War II, Kent’s print is not optimistic: in the lower left, a fallen book bears the Yiddish word שלוס (shlus) on its cover, meaning “the end.”
Extended Loans IN
Art/Work: Women Printmakers of the WPA
Inscribed: RECTO: LL, over image: (stamped in black ink): 'FEDERAL ART PROJECT / NYC WPA' and (pencil): 'Vision'; LR, over image (pencil): 'Jos. Vogel'; BR Corner (pencil): '13'. VERSO: C: BMA stamp; LR (pencil): '#1696 - gr. 1'.
