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Labor in a Diesel Plant

Letterio Calapai

Catherine Burns Fine Art United States

Artwork details

Artist

Letterio Calapai

Title

Labor in a Diesel Plant

Description

Woodcut on wove paper. Edition of 50. Exhibited in “Artists for Victory” during WWII. Signed, titled, dated and annotated “Ed. 50” in pencil.

Labor in a Diesel Plant is probably the best known print by Calapai, known for his politically engaged and labor-focused works. The print vividly depicts industrial laborers engaged in the physically demanding work of assembling diesel engines for WWII, emphasizing both their strength and the harsh conditions of factory life. Similar to a mural’s compartmentalized scenes, this woodcut champions the resilience and dignity of American workers during a time of economic and social transformation.

Date

1943

Medium

Woodcut

Signature

Signed

Sheet

15 ¾ x 9 ½ inches

Status

Available

Price

Price on request

The Artist

Letterio Calapai

Letterio "Leo" Calapai (March 29, 1901–March 29, 1993) was an American artist and educator, who identified with the Realism movement. Calapai completed works of art for the Federal Arts Project, which was organized by the Works Progress Administration in the late 1930s and early 1940s.