Sailing

Art Historical Context

**Sailing** by Fred Becker, created between 1935 and 1940 under the Works Progress Administration (PA), captures a lively nautical scene in the precise medium of wood engraving. This print with a block size of 8½ × 9½ inches, depicts men engaged in sailing, complete with bottles that hint at camaraderie or seafaring leisure. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund 1940, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, exemplifying American printmaking from the Great Depression era. Wood engraving, a technique carving intricate designs into the end-grain of a wood block, allowed Becker to achieve fine lines and rich contrasts ideal for reproducing detailed images affordably. As a WPA project, the artwork reflects the New Deal's effort to employ artists amid economic hardship, producing accessible prints that reached wide audiences through posters, books, and exhibitions. This piece highlights the era's blend of everyday heroism and escapism—sailors navigating waters amid national turmoil—offering visitors a window into 1930s American resilience and creativity.

About the Artist

Fred Becker|WPA (American| ) · 1913 | –2004 |

American, Oakland, California 1913–2004 Amherst, Massachusetts|