Philadelphia Old Swedes Church WPA 1936 Reproduction

About this poster:

This vintage poster, created by the Federal Art Project, promotes tourism to Philadelphia by featuring the historic Old Swedes Church, also known as Gloria Dei Church. The artwork employs a distinctive style characterized by simplified forms, bold lines, and a muted color palette of earthy reds, blues, and tans. The composition centers on the church, framed by a prominent tree in the foreground and a stylized river and landscape in the background, with the word "PHILADELPHIA" in large, blocky letters at the top.

This poster is a product of the Works Progress Administration's (WPA) Federal Art Project (FAP), a New Deal program established in 1935 to provide employment for artists during the Great Depression. The FAP commissioned thousands of artists to create a wide range of public art, including murals, paintings, and posters. These posters covered various themes such as public health, safety, community activities, and, as seen here, travel and tourism, aiming to boost local morale and encourage exploration of America's cultural and natural landmarks.

Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church is a National Historic Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established by Swedish settlers, the current brick church was completed around 1700, making it the oldest church in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest continuously used churches in the United States. Its historical significance and distinct architecture made it a fitting subject for a poster designed to highlight Philadelphia's rich heritage.

Our reproduction Works Progress Administration (WPA) posters capture the spirit of American resilience and public works during a pivotal era. This classic piece highlights the artistic and social contributions of the WPA. Professionally printed by Lumber City Prints on premium quality 230gsm Matte Photo Paper, this poster is a stunning tribute to historical design.

Please note: This listing is for the reproduction print only, frames are NOT included.


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About Lumber City Prints

Lumber City Prints produces fine art prints using archival quality inks and professional Canon and Epson print equipment. Our collection of vintage images is carefully edited to repair damage, improve color quality, adjust size, and prepare for printing.

Our source images are at least 300dpi to produce each print as accurately as the original. The resolution we print at is much higher quality than what is generally shown in previews.


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