18
Portfolios%3D%22506%22%20and%20Sort_Artist%3D%22Gropper,%20William%22
Painting
The Opposition
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
28 x 38 in. (71.1 x 96.5 cm)
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.
.
overall framed size
horizontal
frame
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.
.
without frame
Oil
Oil
1942
1942
1942
1900-2000, 20th century, American Scene/Regionalism, Encyclopedia Britannica Collection, men, paintings, politics in art, Social Realism
Painting
William Gropper satirized the United States Senate in The Opposition as lawmakers were threatening to cut significant federal funding for the arts. Gropper wrote, “I have portrayed the type of representative that is opposed to progress and culture. The U.S. Senate…[has] such an influence on American life, good and bad, that it has even affected the artist and the cultural development of our country.”
William Gropper supported himself with his political cartoons, satirical drawings, and illustrations, most of which pointed out how the burdens of society were largely borne by the working class.
[Gallery label text, 2024]
Lawmakers were threatening to cut significant federal funding for the arts when political cartoonist and painter William Gropper satirized the United States Senate in The Opposition. Gropper wrote, “I have portrayed the type of representative that is opposed to progress and culture. The U.S. Senate…[has] such an influence on American life, good and bad, that it has even affected the artist and the cultural development of our country.”
[Gallery label text, 2007]
William Gropper was best known for his caustic commentary on the American political and social scene. He depicted realistic and identifiable subjects; The Opposition was one of a number of paintings and illustrations that came out of his 1934 assignment for the magazine Vanity Fair, to sketch legislators in action in Washington. Gropper made no bones about his distaste for politics and used his art to further his point of view:
"I have portrayed the type of representative that is opposed to progress and culture. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have had such an influence on American life, good and bad, that it has even affected the artist and the cultural development of our country. No matter how far removed from politics artists may be, it seems to strike home. Only recently one blasting speech of a reactionary representative resulted in not only doing away with the Section of Fine Art, but also dismissing the Graphic Division of the OWI [Office of War Information] and nullifying art reportage for the War Department."
Gropper's start as a newspaper illustrator informed the creative processes of the rest of his life. His work retained his journalist's interest in issues of the day, giving it a particularly topical essence presented in a dynamic, expressionistic format.
[Gallery label text, 2006]
lower left
1951.5
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
51.5TR1
Transparency
Memorial Art Gallery
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
51.5SL1
slide
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
8x10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
8x10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
4x5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
51.5DI1
digital image
Memorial Art Gallery
Imaging complete
7/14/2000
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/51.5_A1.jpg
51.5DI2
digital image
Memorial Art Gallery
Imaging complete
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/51.5_A2.jpg
63gropper1.tif
digital image
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/SeeingAmerica/63gropper1.tif
Print
Untitled [couple seated on a bench]
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
4 1/8 x 5 1/16 in. (10.4 x 12.9 cm)
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.
.
overall
sheet
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.
overall
image
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
0
0
20th century
Print
lower right
1978.36
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
78.36DI1
digital image
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/78.36_A1.jpg
78.36DI#2
digital image
7/22/2013
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/78.36_A2.jpg
Print
Bill in the Senate
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
17 1/2 x 22 7/16 in. (44.4 x 57 cm)
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stone
horizontal
image
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sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1936-1942
1936
1942
Social Realism
Print
lower left, below imagelower right, in the image
2005.4
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/22/2005
4905.4DI1
digital image
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/Inventory pictures/2005.4_I1.jpg
2005.4DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.4_A1.jpg
2005.4DI#3
digital image
1/20/2006
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.4_A2.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Original folio
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 1/2 x 11 5/8 in. (44.5 x 29.5 cm)
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.
.
Folio
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Original folded paper folio
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
2005.239.1
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.1DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.1_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Paul Bunyan
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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.
.
stone
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower rightlower left, below image
2005.239.2
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.2DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.2_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Rip Van Winkle
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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stone
image
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stone
image
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.
.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.3
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.3DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.3_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - The Headless Horseman
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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.
image
image
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.
.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.4
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.4DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.4_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Davy Crockett
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.5
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.5DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.5_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Mike Fink
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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.
image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.6
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.6DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.6_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Johnny Appleseed
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 28 in. (43.2 x 71.1 cm)
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.
image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.7
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.7DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.7_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - John Brown
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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.
image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.8
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.8DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.8_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Finn Mac Cool
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 28 in. (43.2 x 71.1 cm)
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.
.
image
image
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.
.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower left, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.9
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.9DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.9_A1.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - John Henry
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 28 cm)
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.
.
image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.10
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.10DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.10_A1.jpg
2005.239.10TR1
transparency
full
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
63gropper4.tif
digital image
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/SeeingAmerica/63gropper4.tif
2005.239.10DI#2
digital image
1/20/2006
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.10_A2.jpg
Print
American Folklore Lithographs - Joe Magarac
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
Primary
17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 27.9 cm)
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image
image
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.
sheet
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1953
1953
1953
Print
Portfolio of 10 color lithographs with original printed folio.
lower centerlower right, below imagelower left, below image
2005.239.11
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/4/2006
2005.239.11DI1
digital image
full
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/2005.239.11_A1.jpg
Drawing
American Legion Convention
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
15 3/8 x 11 1/8 in. (39.1 x 28.2 cm)
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.
.
sheet
sheet (irregular)
Ink
Ink
1930-1939
1930
1939
Social Realism
Drawing
lower rightat top
1969.9
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
69.9SL1
slide
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
4x5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
8x10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
69.9DI#1
digital image
8/26/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/69.9_A1.jpg
Print
Coffee Break
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
11 1/4 x 15 1/2 in. (28.6 x 39.4 cm)
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.
.
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
1965
1965
1965
Social Realism
Print
1975.327.3
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
75.327.3 SL1
slide
full
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
75.327.3DI1
digital image
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/75.327.3_A1.jpg
75.327.3DI#2
digital image
11/16/2022
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/Inventory pictures/75.327.3_I1.jpg
Drawing
A Line Syncopation
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
10 1/16 x 8 in. (25.5 x 20.3 cm)
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.
.
sheet
sheet
Ink
Ink
ca. 1923
1918
1928
Drawing
lower left
1978.32
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
78.32SL1
slide
full
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
8x10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
4x5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
78.32DI#1
digital image
8/26/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/78.32_A1.jpg
Drawing
Touch
William Gropper, 1897 - 1977
Gropper, William
United States
1897 - 1977
Male
12 1/4 x 9 5/16 in. (31.1 x 23.6 cm)
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.
.
sheet
sheet
Ink
Ink
ca. 1922
1917
1927
Drawing
lower rightlower left
1978.31
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
glossy
8x10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
4x5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
78.31DI#1
digital image
8/26/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/78.31_A1.jpg