Post Office Murals – Plainfield NJ

Description

This early 20th century post office contains two tempera murals by Anton Refregier. Painted under the aegis of the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, the murals “Folklore of America” and “Quilting Bee” were created in 1942:

“The tempera murals are by Anton Refregier, a Russian whose art appeared at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair (a 30-foot mural in the WPA Building), the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. “Folklore” depicts icons of America, such as Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan and John Henry; “Quilting Bee” captures a sense of community as the women bend over their sewing in a circle of sisterhood.” (www.washingtonpost.com)