Minor Poet by Carlos Anderson

This is a lithograph titled Minor Poet by artist Carlos Anderson. It was created sometime between 1935-1943 for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Arts Project. The image shows a contemplative figure in the lower left corner sitting on a bed. At the center of the scene is a table with a notebook, lamp, radio. coffee pot with cup and sauce, books and a pen or pencil. An open window admits sunlight which falls on the table highlighting a half-filled notebook page. The remainder of the scene is in shadow and speaks to an impoverished lifestyle. Laundry hangs in the corner over a sink. The corner of a dresser is visible. The plant in the window also seems distressed and looking out the window one can look into the balcony of the next apartment. The scene does not carry any notes of optimism and speaks to the challenges of someone characterized as a minor poet. Stylistically the piece embodies social realism with the somewhat stylized representation of people and objects typical of Anderson's work from this period. Minor Poet is held in the collections of of the Princeton Art Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece is signed in pencil lower right Carlos Anderson and the title is given lower center. No edition number is given nor is there record of such. The piece is framed and has not been examined outside the frame. The framed size is 15 1/4 x 20 inches. The plate size is 11 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches. The piece appears to be in excellent condition. The printing is crisp and well inked. There are no condition issues visible including no staining, foxing, toning, fading, tears, or paper loss. While the frame is more contemporary, the materials are not archival. A fine work by this artist.

Carlos Anderson (1904-1978) Anderson was a Utah artist known for his American Scene paintings especially related to Utah history. He was born in Midvale, UT and attended the University of Utah. He subsequently pursued studies in the United States and France including the Los Angeles Art Institute, the Art Students League of New York, the Académie Julian, and the École des Beaux-Arts. He spent time in New York, Utah, and California painting for the United States Government as part of the Federal Arts Project and the Utah Historical Society. For the latter, in the 1930's, he received a commission to record early life in Utah in twenty-four sketches. These are primarily of historical buildings and are still owned by the State of Utah catalogued as the WPA Collection. His graphic work was primarily created when he was in New York City working as a graphic designer. Later in life he changed his last name to Andreson so later works show that name alteration. Stylistically he created work in a stylized form of Realism. He also worked for Abbott Laboratories. His work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Springville (UT) Museum of Art.