“We painters for the People must not only tell them the truth in human justice and righteousness, but we must … say it better and with more conviction than anyone else to be accepted.”—William Gropper, 1944

William Gropper (b. 1897, New York, NY; d. 1977, Manhasset, NY) was a leading social realist artist whose work fervently addressed pressing socio-political issues of the 20th century. The son of impoverished immigrants from Romania and Ukraine, Gropper used his art to call attention to social injustice, contributing thousands of satirical illustrations to radical publications such as the New York Tribune, New Masses, and The Sunday Worker. The first exhibition dedicated to Gropper in Washington, DC, this presentation features more than 30 works that reveal his biting commentary on human rights, anarchy, labor, freedom, and democracy.

Please be advised that this exhibition includes artworks depicting and engaging with themes of violence, racism, prejudice, and war and may not be suitable for all guests.

IMAGE: William Gropper, Justice from Capriccios, 1953–59. Lithograph, 16 1/8 × 12 ½ in., Collection of Harvey and Harvey-Ann Ross

This exhibition is organized by The Phillips Collection and is made possible in part by the generosity of Phillips Trustee Emeritus Harvey Ross.