William Gropper Lithograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: PICT-2019-007
Scope and Content
Illustrations (10-1/2 x 14 in.) depicting interactions between Nazi soldiers and Jewish civilians. These works were published in Gropper's c1943 pamphlet, Your Brother's Blood Cries Out: Eight Drawings by William Gropper, inspired by events at the Czech town of Lidice in 1942.
Dates
- 1943
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.
Biography
William Gropper (1897-1977) was an American born Jewish cartoonist, painter, lithographer, and muralist. Born in New York City on the lower East side where his parents worked in the garment industry, he attended the Ferrer School and the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts and began exhibiting his paintings in the 1930's. As a cartoonist he worked for the Daily Worker, Morning Freiheit, New Masses, New York Tribune, and several other mainstream and leftist publications.
Gropper was known not only for his depiction of social injustice as it played out in the day-to-day life of the common laborer, but also through his satirical portrayal of the elite and powerful and the effects of capitalism and war on American life.
The artist was first exposed to leftist politics while working on murals for the WPA during the Great Depression. In 1953, Senator Joseph McCarthy subpoenaed Gropper, forcing him to testify about alleged Soviet connections. He was subsequently blacklisted by publishing houses and collectors. His work returned to the public discourse in the late 1960s.
Gropper was known not only for his depiction of social injustice as it played out in the day-to-day life of the common laborer, but also through his satirical portrayal of the elite and powerful and the effects of capitalism and war on American life.
The artist was first exposed to leftist politics while working on murals for the WPA during the Great Depression. In 1953, Senator Joseph McCarthy subpoenaed Gropper, forcing him to testify about alleged Soviet connections. He was subsequently blacklisted by publishing houses and collectors. His work returned to the public discourse in the late 1960s.
Extent
4 items (1 folder) : 4 lithographs ; 10.5 x 14 in.
Abstract
Four black and white lithograph prints depicting Nazi treatment of Jewish prisoners and Jewish resistance.
Physical Location
B2. Filed in large drawers by Pictorial Number
- Title
- Finding Aid of the William Gropper Lithograph Collection, c1943
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Wendy Pedersen
- Date
- © 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu