Balanced Diet for the Expectant Mother — WPA, 1936–1939

Balanced Diet for the Expectant Mother is a bold WPA public-health poster built around a stylized bowl overflowing with fruit. Oranges, grapes, pears and other produce are simplified into areas of warm orange, yellow and brown, while a hand reaching into the bowl adds movement to the otherwise carefully structured composition.

Created in New York between 1936 and 1939 by the WPA Federal Art Project, the poster promoted proper diet and prenatal care for pregnant women. Geometric lines lead from the fruit toward the large condensed lettering below, where “Balanced Diet” is followed by the instruction to inquire at the Health Bureau. The limited palette, generous shapes and direct typography make the work a distinctive example of 1930s American public-health graphic design.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Artist not identified
• Title: Balanced Diet for the Expectant Mother
• Original title: Balanced diet for the expectant mother Inquire at the Health Bureau.
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: 1936–1939
• Period: 1930s / WPA Era
• Place of Origin: New York, United States
• Medium: Silkscreen in color on board

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.