Understanding the Arts — Shari Weisberg, 1936–1941

Understanding the Arts is Shari Weisberg’s distinctive WPA-era exploration of art education through abstraction. A golden harp sits at the center of overlapping geometric forms and expressive painted marks, bringing a recognizable musical instrument into an otherwise nonrepresentational composition of blue, black, rust, ochre, white and pale gray.

Created in Illinois for the Federal Art Project between 1936 and 1941, the poster promoted the study of the arts. Its typography becomes part of the composition: the handwritten word “understanding” crosses the lower abstract forms, while the exceptionally tall letters of “ARTS” rise along the right edge. The combination of asymmetry, limited color, varied lettering and abstract geometry gives the poster a particularly modern character within WPA graphic design.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Shari Weisberg
• Title: Understanding the Arts
• Original title: Understanding the arts
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: 1936–1941
• Period: 1930s–Early 1940s / WPA Era
• Place of Origin: Illinois, 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.