Elizabeth Olds and WPA/Federal Art Project, New York City
W.P.A. Rhythm Band
1936
Scroll
Physical Qualities
Crayon lithograph with scraping, Sheet: 391 x 402 mm. (15 3/8 x 15 13/16 in.)
Image: 252 x 356 mm. (9 15/16 x 14 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.1943.9.80
Through its programs, the WPA supported the employment of underrepresented artists across all fields. Black actors and musicians had opportunities to perform in funded venues, though often in segregated productions. Gladys Boucree (c. 1900–1950) starred to great acclaim as Yum-Yum in the Federal Theatre Project’s 1938 swing-style production of W.S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and Arthur Sullivan’s (1842–1900) comic opera The Mikado, which had first premiered in 1885. Elizabeth Olds’ print W.P.A. Rhythm Band, also produced as a color screenprint, conveys the energy and dynamism of Black
musicians in a brass band with tuba players, trombonists, saxophone players, and a drummer.
Extended Loans IN
Art/Work: Women Printmakers of the WPA
Inscribed: RECTO: LL margin (stamped in black ink): 'FEDERAL ART PROJECT / NYC WPA'; LC margin (pencil): 'W.P.A. Rythm Band'; LR margin (pencil): 'Elizabeth Olds. 1937.'; BR Corner (pencil): '6'; BL Corner (pencil, erased): '19'. VERSO: LR (pencil): '#1696 - gr. I'; C: BMA stamp.
