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Construction of A Dam by William Gropper
Photo CreditDavid L. Olin, fellow AIC, Olin Conservation, Inc.
Construction of A Dam
Photo CreditDavid L. Olin, fellow AIC, Olin Conservation, Inc.

Construction of A Dam

Artist
Year1939
Classification painting
Medium oil on canvas
DimensionsCenter panel: 107 x 174 in. (271.8 x 442 cm)
each side panel: 107 x 72 in. (271.8 x 182.9 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Section of Fine Arts, 1934 - 1943
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
CollectionCollection Highlights

  • Construction of a Dam focuses not only on the technological achievements of the Bureau of Reclamation, but also celebrates the strength and dignity of the citizen-worker. William Gropper, a social-realist painter, lithographer, and cartoonist, based this mural on the Columbia River’s Grand Coulee Dam and the Colorado River’s Davis Dam.

    Born in New York City in 1897, Gropper was well known for his cartoons and illustrations published in the New York Tribute, Vogue, Vanity Fair and New York World, as well as more liberal publications like the Yiddish Communist Daily, The Masses, The Revolutionary Age, The Rebel Worker and the Communist Daily Worker. Gropper detested capitalism. Although he was never a member of the Communist Party USA, his inclusion of communist imagery reveals his political affiliation. Gropper’s insertion of red bandanas throughout the composition and impressions of a hammer and sickle in the far right panel are just some indications of the artist’s communist sympathies.