WPA Style Scene of Working Men Seated with Newspapers by John Deforest Stull

This beautiful and sophisticated large scale oil on canvas painting was realized by the esteemed American artist John Deforest Stull in 1939. The composition depicts a WPA style scene of two men- seemingly blue collar workers during the Great Depression- in drab earth tone clothing each holding a piece of paper rendered as a white cone. This piece of paper perhaps represents these men's respective resumes as they hunt for a new job, or perhaps a termination letter after losing their jobs. They sit on cubic forms (boxes)- one white, the other a vibrant ruby red- wearing tawny coats, black pants, brown boots and newsboy caps. The cubist background consists of an abundance of intersecting planar forms in muted shades of teal, grays and red. The loose expressionist paint handling recalls the work of Thomas Hart Benton, who applied the visual techniques of Goya to American Regionalism. This piece is not only aesthetically stunning, but documents an important epoch of our nation's past, making it a desirable acquisition for art collectors and history afficionados alike. With its masterful paint handling and refined color palate, it would be a winning addition to any style of interior from traditional to contemporary. It comes presented in a original custom oak gallery frame and is in excellent vintage condition. It is signed and dated by the artist.

American, circa 1939

Dimensions:

Height: 48.25 in (122.56 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)

Creator: John Deforest Stull (1910 - 1972, American)

Creation Year: 1939

Medium: Canvas, Oil

Movement & Style: American Modern

Period: 1930-1939

Condition: Excellent

Gallery Location: New York, NY