WPA Workers on Monument Creek 1937

Helen Louise Beccard made this lithograph called "WPA Workers on Monument Creek" in 1937, reflecting the United States' struggle during the Great Depression. The image depicts a group of laborers working on a creek bed, likely as part of the Works Progress Administration program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the background, the landscape shows signs of both industry and nature, such as the bridge and rolling hills. The WPA was a key institution in addressing the high unemployment rates of the era. Beccard's choice of subject matter suggests an interest in the social conditions of her time, specifically the role of government initiatives in providing employment and stimulating the economy. To fully understand the context of this work, researching the history of the WPA and the social impact of the Great Depression in the United States is essential. This artwork invites us to consider the intersection of art, labor, and government intervention during times of economic hardship.