William Gropper

Playmates
1954–1956

A black and white etching depicting three figures with exaggerated facial expressions climbing and sitting in a barren tree. The background features a textured sky, suggesting a windy or tumultuous atmosphere. The tree has several broken branches and a makeshift ladder attached to its trunk. The artwork is numbered and signed by the artist at the bottom.
A black and white etching depicting three figures with exaggerated facial expressions climbing and sitting in a barren tree. The background features a textured sky, suggesting a windy or tumultuous atmosphere. The tree has several broken branches and a makeshift ladder attached to its trunk. The artwork is numbered and signed by the artist at the bottom.

Not on view

Date
1954–1956

Classification
Prints

Medium
Lithograph

Dimensions
Sheet: 16 3/16 × 12 1/4in. (41.1 × 31.1 cm) Image: 14 × 9 7/8in. (35.6 × 25.1 cm)

Accession number
67.67.44

Edition
46/50

Publication
Printed by George C. Miller; published by William Gropper

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the artist and his wife

Rights and reproductions
© artist or artist’s estate

API
artworks/4262

Part of a series:

Capriccios

50 works

A black and white lithograph titled "All God's Chillun" featuring stylized figures that appear to be dancing or in motion. The central figure is a man in a top hat with exaggerated features, surrounded by other characters with elongated limbs and expressive postures. Some figures are playing musical instruments, and the overall composition conveys a sense of dynamic movement and rhythm. The image is numbered 46/150 and signed by the artist in the lower margin.
A black and white sketch depicting three figures, with the one on the right being the most detailed, showing an elderly man with a hat and a cane. The other two figures are more abstract, with one appearing to wear a hood and the other a hat. The background is textured but nondescript, and there are signatures and numbering at the bottom of the artwork.
This is a black and white etching featuring a surreal and fantastical scene. At the center, an owl perches on a branch, surrounded by various creatures and elements that blend the boundaries between animal, human, and mythical. To the left, a figure with a wolf-like face howls upwards, while a humanoid figure with a fish head appears to be caught in a moment of surprise or shock. A figure with a broom, possibly a witch, is seen flying on a broomstick in the lower right corner. The background includes a cloudy sky with a bright moon or sun partially obscured by clouds, and birds in flight, adding to the dreamlike atmosphere. The image is numbered "46/150" and titled "A New Dawn" at the bottom, with the artist's signature on the right.
A monochromatic print featuring an abstract figure with prominent, expressive lines suggesting a face and body, set against a dark, textured background with silhouettes of buildings at the bottom. The artwork conveys a sense of movement and emotion, with a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Handwritten text and numbers are visible at the bottom, indicating the print's edition and possibly the title or artist's signature.
A black and white lithograph depicting a chaotic scene with multiple figures in various states of distress or motion, seemingly tumbling or floating in a dark, undefined space. Some figures appear to be shouting or in pain, and abstract shapes add to the sense of disarray. The artwork is signed and numbered at the bottom, indicating it is part of a limited series.
A black and white etching depicting skeletal figures in various states of ascent and descent on a large, industrial-looking staircase. The staircase is attached to a geometric structure, possibly a fire escape, on the side of an undefined building. The scene conveys a sense of chaos and movement, with some figures appearing to be falling or leaping off the stairs. The artwork is numbered and signed by the artist at the bottom.
A black and white lithograph depicting a stylized scene with several figures. In the foreground, a group of people, some wearing hats, appear to be in conversation or observing something. In the background, a central figure is dramatically posed atop what seems to be an abstract representation of a horse, with exaggerated features and limbs. The artwork has a dynamic and somewhat surreal quality, with strong contrasts and expressive lines. There are signatures and numbers at the bottom, indicating it's part of a limited series.
This is a black and white etching depicting a dramatic scene with several skeletal figures in various poses of despair or reaching out, set against a backdrop of what appears to be a web-like structure and abstract forms. The artwork is rich in texture and detail, conveying a sense of movement and intensity. There are signatures and numbers at the bottom, indicating it is a limited edition print.
A black and white print featuring a series of four stylized figures, each one positioned above the other in a vertical line. The bottom figure has exaggerated facial features and limbs, with a wide grin and prominent eyes. The figures above it become progressively more abstract and humanoid, with the topmost figure resembling a tribal mask with arms raised. To the left, a separate, more naturalistic figure of a woman in a flowing dress is depicted in profile. The artwork has a raw, expressive quality, and there are signatures and edition numbers at the bottom of the print.
This is a black and white lithograph depicting a dramatic and expressive scene with several figures. The central figure appears anguished, with a distorted face and body, and multiple swords impaled through the torso. Below this figure are several grotesque, caricature-like faces with exaggerated expressions, some appearing to shout or grimace. The artwork has a dark, intense atmosphere and is numbered and signed by the artist in the lower margin.

William Gropper
77 works in the collection

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