Harry Gottlieb (September 23, 1895 – July 4, 1992) was an influential American painter, screen printer, lithographer, and educator known for his contributions to Social Realism and printmaking.
Born in Bucharest, Romania, Gottlieb immigrated to the United States in 1907, settling in Minneapolis with his Jewish family. He pursued his artistic education at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from 1915 to 1917, where he formed a friendship with renowned illustrator Wanda Gág. After a brief period as an illustrator for the U.S. Navy, Gottlieb moved to New York City and worked as a scenic and costume designer for Eugene O'Neill's Provincetown Theater Group. He continued his studies at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design.
Gottlieb emerged as one of America’s first Social Realist painters after settling in New York City in 1918, influenced by the Robert Henri-led movement. He was also a pioneer in screen printing, which he explored while working with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In 1935, he joined the Federal Art Project, becoming one of the first members of its Silk Screen Unit alongside notable printmakers like Anthony Velonis and Elizabeth Olds.
Throughout his career, Gottlieb was actively involved in the art community, serving as the first director of the American Artists School in New York City and engaging with organizations like the Artists Union and Artists Congress. He taught informal silkscreen techniques at the Harlem Community Art Center, which was established by the WPA in 1937, and he was respected for his advocacy of African American causes.
In interviews, Gottlieb emphasized the creative productivity of artists during the Great Depression, highlighting the benefits of collaborative workshops. He lectured extensively on art education and championed government support for artists.
By 1940, interest in silkscreen printmaking surged, culminating in a solo exhibition at the ACA Gallery that included his notable work "Winter on the Creek." This piece, intricately printed with eleven colors, showcased Gottlieb's ability to merge painterly aesthetics with printmaking techniques. His innovations earned him the Eyre Medal for the best print at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Gottlieb believed in making art accessible to the public, advocating for screen printing as an affordable means for people to acquire art. He famously remarked that while the average American could not afford traditional paintings, screen prints could provide them with art for their homes.
His works are housed in prestigious collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. He was featured in the 1944 National Serigraph Society exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts.
In his personal life, Gottlieb married artist and sculptor Eugenie Gershoy, and they became part of the artist colony in Woodstock, New York. Gottlieb also held Marxist beliefs and was a lifelong member of the Communist Party.
Harry Gottlieb’s legacy as an artist and educator continues to inspire, reflecting his commitment to social causes and his innovative contributions to American art.
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