Untitled

Patrociño Barela, Untitled, ca. 1935-1943, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.10
Copied Patrociño Barela, Untitled, ca. 1935-1943, carved and stained pine, 21 5⁄8 x 44 1⁄4 x 1 3⁄4 in. (54.9 x 112.4 x 4.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.10

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled
Artist
Date
ca. 1935-1943
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
21 5⁄8 x 44 1⁄4 x 1 3⁄4 in. (54.9 x 112.4 x 4.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and stained pine
Classifications
Keywords
  • New Deal — Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project — New Mexico
  • Object — written matter — map
Object Number
1985.65.10
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.65.10

Artwork Description

Patrociño Barela carved several relief sculptures for the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s and ‘40s. This piece was possibly inspired by Japanese involvement in the outbreak of World War II, especially the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Barela carved a rough map of Tokyo Bay, with writing to indicate areas such as “Government Embassy,” “hospital” and “factory district.” The “American Docks and Freight” suggests that Barela hoped American forces would soon invade and occupy Japanese territory.