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Charles Turzak
'The Workers (No. 1)' — 1930s WPA Signed Modernist Woodcut

c. 1935

About the Item

Charles Turzak, 'The Workers (No. 1)', woodcut, edition c. 50, c. 1935. Signed and titled in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right. A fine, richly-inked impression, on cream wove Japan paper, with margins (3/8 to 1 inch), in excellent condition. Matted to museum standards, unframed. Created by the artist for the Federal Art Project, Chicago Works Progress Administration (WPA). Image size 6 3/8 x 4 5/16 inches (163 x 110 mm); sheet size 8 1/4 x 5 3/8 inches (210 x 137 mm). Collections: Art Institute of Chicago, British Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, National Gallery of Art. ABOUT THE ARTIST Charles Turzak (1896–1986) was an American printmaker, painter, and illustrator celebrated for his finely carved woodcuts and wood engravings depicting urban landmarks, industrial subjects, and American historical narratives. Born in Streator, Illinois, to Czechoslovakian immigrant parents, Turzak demonstrated an early aptitude for carving and design, first evident in the miniature peach-pit sculptures he made as a boy. After apprenticeships in woodworking and violin making, Turzak studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he excelled in drawing and woodcarving and was elected to Delta Phi Delta, the national honorary art fraternity. By the late 1920s, he was recognized for woodcuts of Northwestern University and Chicago landmarks, works distinguished by architectural clarity, disciplined line, and compositional strength. A 1929 study trip to Europe further reinforced his commitment to classical structure and expressive graphic design. During the Great Depression, Turzak became an early participant in the Works Progress Administration, producing murals for federal buildings and creating some of his most enduring graphic work. Among these were the WPA-sponsored Chicago Moods series of color woodcuts—expressive urban scenes that rank among his most sought-after prints—as well as the portfolio History of Illinois in Woodcuts (1935). His woodcut biography Abraham Lincoln achieved notable success at the Century of Progress International Exhibition (1933–34), firmly establishing his national reputation. Turzak later served as art director of Today’s Health magazine and continued painting and printmaking after relocating to Florida in 1958. His works are held in major museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library of Congress, and Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, among others.
  • Creator:
    Charles Turzak (1899 - 1986, American)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1935
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6.38 in (16.21 cm)Width: 4.32 in (10.98 cm)
  • Medium:
    Woodcut
  • Movement & Style:
    American Modern
  • Period:
    1930-1939
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 1041291stDibs: LU532317391582