Blanche Grambs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blanche Grambs
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Grambs at her drafting table working on a pastel drawing. Photographed for the Works Progress Administration. From the collection of the Archives of American Art.
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| Born |
Blanche Mary Grambs
1916 Beijing, China
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| Died | 2010 (aged 93–94) New York City
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Art Students League |
| Known for | Painting, printmaking |
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Notable work
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Miners Miners Going to Work |
Blanche Grambs (born 1916, died 2010) was an American artist. She was famous for her prints that showed what life was like during the Great Depression. Her art often featured coal miners, people who were poor, and those who didn't have jobs.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Blanche Grambs was born in Beijing, China. She later moved to the United States. She studied art at the Art Students League in New York. Her teacher was Harry Sternberg.
Art for a Cause: The WPA
During the 1930s, the United States was going through the Great Depression. Many people lost their jobs and homes. To help, the government started programs called the New Deal. One of these was the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Blanche Grambs worked for the WPA's Federal Art Project starting in 1936. This project helped artists find work. She made over 30 prints for the WPA. She used different printmaking methods like lithographs and intaglio prints.
Her art showed the struggles of everyday people. She wanted to highlight the difficulties faced by workers and the unemployed.
Art and Social Change
Blanche Grambs believed art could help change society. She took classes about social ideas at the New York Workers School. She also joined peaceful protests. In 1936, she was arrested during a sit-in. This protest was against cuts to the WPA art budget.
Grambs traveled to Lanceford, Pennsylvania. There, she created prints and etchings of coal miners. Her artwork showed her strong feelings about social fairness. She wanted to use her art to support people who were struggling.
Later Life and Legacy
Blanche Grambs married Hugh "Lefty" Miller. They moved to Paris, France. But soon, a war started, so they moved back to New York. She continued to work as an artist.
Later in her career, Grambs illustrated over 30 children's books. This showed her talent for creating art for different audiences.
Her artwork is now in many famous museums. These include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the British Museum. Her prints help us remember an important time in American history. They also show the power of art to tell stories and inspire change.
Gallery
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Miners Going to Work, n.d
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Girl With Blue Hair
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Workers Homes, ca. 1935-1940
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Mood, n.d
