Elliot Means, relief of worker by printing press, USGPO - Washington DC
Description
U.S. Government Publishing Office Warehouse (also known as Building No. 4) is graced on the exterior by four bas-relief sculptures commissioned by the New Deal’s Treasury Section of Fine Arts. The original name of this office complex was the US Government Printing Office, but it was changed in 2014.
Two printing press worker sculptures were created in 1937 by Elliot Means (1904-1962). After the 1930s, Means went on to become a successful artist, “known as a maker of bas-reliefs and painter of southwestern scenes” (Albuquerque Journal, 1962).
The two eagle sculptures were done by Armin Scheler (1901-1987) in 1937. After his New Deal artwork, Scheler became a faculty member at Louisiana State University in 1942 and continued his art career, winning several prizes for his work (Lake Charles American-Press, 1965).
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Scheler, eagle sculpture, west side of USGPO - Washington DC
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Closer view of eagle sculpture, west side of USGPO building - Washington DC
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Elliot Means standing next to one of his USGPO bas-reliefs, 1937
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Elliot Means, relief of worker moving rolls of paper, USGPO - Washington DC
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Scheler, eagle relief, north side of USGPO building - Washington DC
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Closer view of eagle sculpture, north side of USGPO - Washington DC
Source notes
Final Report, Section of Fine Arts, Public Buildings Administration, October 16, 1934 to July 15, 1943, p. 4.
“Government Printing Office Workers, (sculpture).” Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museum (accessed December 9, 2019).
“Young E.P. Painter [Elliot Means] Turns Sculptor, Wins Recognition in New Field,” El Paso Herald-Post, December 27, 1937, p. 1.
“Noted Painter Elliot Means Dies In East,” Albuquerque Journal, July 29, 1962, p. D-5.
“[Armin Scheler] Sculpture Show Open On Sunday,” Lake Charles American-Press (Lake Charles, Louisiana), January 20, 1965, p. 8.
Project originally submitted by Brent McKee on December 4, 2011.
Additional contributions by Maureen Budetti.
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