Don’t Mix ’Em — Robert Lachenmann, 1936–1937

Don’t Mix ’Em is Robert Lachenmann’s striking WPA-era warning about intoxication and safety. A whiskey bottle and vintage gasoline pump stand against a deep navy field while a large skull emerges behind them in broken gray marks. Above, monumental orange lettering delivers the simple warning “Don’t Mix ’Em,” making the message inseparable from the composition itself.

Created for the Pennsylvania WPA Federal Art Project in 1936 or 1937, the poster uses a remarkably restrained palette of navy, orange-red, cream and gray. The solid geometric forms of the bottle and pump contrast with the fragmented treatment of the skull, giving the image both visual clarity and an ominous quality. The original was produced as a color lithograph and remains a distinctive example of direct, economical WPA safety design.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Robert Lachenmann
• Title: Don’t Mix ’Em
• Original title: Don't mix 'em
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: 1936 or 1937; verso stamped March 27, 1937
• Period: 1930s / WPA Era
• Place of Origin: Pennsylvania, United States
• Medium: Color lithograph

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.