two-vintage-w-p-a-kentucky-museum-project-plaster-architectural-models
Lot 5136

Two Vintage W.P.A. Kentucky Museum Project Plaster Architectural Models

Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Circa 1930s, painted plaster, including an architectural model of Castlewood in Madison County, Kentucky (8 x 15 x 15 1/4 in.), and the Ephraim McDowell Home in Danville, Kentucky (6 x 9 x 9 1/4 in.). Both labeled to the corner with the W.P.A stamp, and inscribed with initials to underside, possibly by the W.P.A. artist.

From a Private Collection, Washington, D.C.

During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a program created by executive order in 1935 to provide jobs for millions of unemployed Americans. Artists were hired to create murals, paintings, drawings, and sculptures for public buildings and educational purposes. Among the items made were a collection of plaster building replicas. Pieces are marked with WPA and sometimes have the artist's name included.
proposed a project to produce architectural models of historic buildings for museums and schools to provide employment for artists and art teachers. Around 28 of these models were produced of Kentucky sites.

Chimneys on both models with hairlines; a few scatter small chips, some with painted repair.