Here we have a rare WPA era signed print of an intense farm scene by listed artist Bernard Steffen. This beauty had me at first glance. I love the WPA style, and this rare print is oozing with it. I can look at it for hours. The flow of the shading is as good as it gets. And then you top that off with the fact that Mr. Stearn only made a few of these gems in the 1930s. I can’t even find another copy anywhere.
Here’s a short bio of Bernard Steffen:
Bernard Steffen (1907-1981) was an American artist who, like many of his contemporaries, worked under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. He was a student of the renowned American Regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton, which heavily influenced his style. Steffen is well-known for his lithographs and paintings that capture the essence of the American Midwest, particularly scenes of rural life, farming, and landscapes.
The rare WPA style print came out of a prominent Twin Cities collection of rare WPA style prints from the 1930s. The piece is signed in graphite in the lower right, and the title “SUNDOWN” is found on the bottom center.
The framed print measures 18" tall and 22" wide. The print has not been inspected outside of the framing. There is some slight toning. The original frame is a little weak. When hanging the frame bends slightly. I’d look at a possible replacement. I’ll leave it up to you. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO boxes). Free shipping on the rare WPA artwork.
Did I mention that I love WPA art? Cold clocked every time. So good.
