Who created "Birth of John Henry"?

Birth of John Henry was created by Fred Becker|WPA in 1935–40.

When was "Birth of John Henry" created?

This artwork was created 1935–40.

What medium is "Birth of John Henry"?

Birth of John Henry is Wood engraving.

Is "Birth of John Henry" in the public domain?

Yes, Birth of John Henry is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Birth of John Henry

Fred Becker|WPA

1935–40

Medium

Wood engraving

Dimensions

Block: 6 x 4 1/2 in. (15.2 x 11.4 cm) Sheet: 11 1/4 x 7 in. (28.6 x 17.8 cm)

Classification

Prints

Department

Drawings and Prints

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1940

Accession Number

40.111.63

Tags

Men

Art Historical Context

**Birth of John Henry**, a wood engraving by Fred Becker between 1935 and 1940 under the WPA (Works Progress Administration), captures the legendary origins of America's iconic folk hero, John Henry. compact print, with a block measuring just 6 x 4½ inches, depicts the "birth" of the steel-driving man who symbolizes raw human strength and resilience against industrialization. Produced during the Great Depression, it reflects the era's fascination with American tall tales and working-class myths. Becker, an active printmaker in the WPA Federal Art Project, employed wood engraving—a meticulous ...

Birth of John Henry

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