WPA Rumor — Vera Bock

A worker raises a WPA-marked shovel above a snarling wolf labeled “RUMOR” in this sharply simplified poster by Vera Bock. The exaggerated confrontation fills almost the entire composition, turning an intangible social problem into a direct and immediately readable visual metaphor.

Produced in New York through the Federal Art Project between 1939 and 1941, the original was printed as a color silkscreen. Powder blue, gray-brown, soft pink, black, and cream are arranged in broad flat shapes, while economical black marks provide texture and movement. The combination of humor, urgency, and graphic restraint is characteristic of the direct public-information language found in WPA-era poster design.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Vera Bock
• Title: WPA Rumor
• Original title: WPA rumor
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: Between 1939 and 1941
• Period: WPA era
• Place of Origin: New York, United States
• Medium: Color silkscreen print 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.