The Yacht Race

Art Historical Context

**The Yacht Race** is a dynamic wood engraving by American printmaker Fred Becker, created between 1935 and 1940 under the auspices of Works Progress Administration (WPA This period piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department, measures a modest 6 x 8 inches on the block, capturing a lively nautical scene with boats, men, and the intriguing motif of bow and arrow— evoking a whimsical or competitive regatta spirit. Produced during the Great Depression, the print reflects the WPA's Federal Art Project, employed thousands of artists to create accessible public art. Wood engraving, Becker's chosen medium, involves incising fine lines into a hard wood block (often end-grain boxwood) with a burin, enabling intricate details and high-contrast reproductions ideal for widespread distribution. This technique allowed WPA prints like this one to bring scenes of leisure and human activity to everyday Americans, offering escapism amid economic hardship. Artistically, Becker's work exemplifies the era's emphasis on realism and social documentation, blending motion and energy in a compact format. Donated via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1940, *The Yacht Race* highlights the cultural role of prints in celebrating communal pastimes, reminding us of yachting's prestige even in tough times. A perfect gem for print enthusiasts!

About the Artist

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

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