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My Father Reminisces

Ida Abelman

Artwork Details

My Father Reminisces
1937
Ida Abelman
lithograph on paper
14 9/16 in x 18 7/16 in (36.99 cm x 46.83 cm)
Allocated by the U.S. Government Commissioned through the New Deal art projects
1943.2

Description

Subject Matter:

Ida Abelman was an artist employed by the WPA. This print tells a story from left to right of immigrants to New York and the title implies that it comes from the memories of her father. Starting on the left, immigrants arrive in New York City by boat only to be exploited by the garment factories. The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union is formed, there is a successful strike, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire burns, and the Statue of Liberty only has a faint presence in the scene. The sewing machine in the foreground of the print closes in on the piece workers who were struggling to make a living. 

Physical Description:

Around and behind a central image of a sewing machine are overlapping images of people, ships, a building fire, the Statue of Liberty, and small blocks of text.

Usage Rights:

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