Preview AR preview Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image Send
Details Guide Add to favorites Download Similars X-Ray Diaporama Q&A Presentation Stats

Builders

Dimensions
43.0 x 41.0 cm

Harry Sternberg (1904-2001) was a celebrated American painter, printmaker & educator known for his socially conscious WPA murals depicting industrial life and workers' struggles. Explore his etchings, paintings, and legacy as an Art Students League i

The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.

This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. ( Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.

Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (19 November)

Free Worldwide Express Shipping
High-Quality Linen Canvas
Full Shipping Insurance
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
True Color Matching Guarantee
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 69

Builders

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 69


Artist Biography

Harry Sternberg: A Voice for Labor and Surrealist Vision

Harry Sternberg (1904–2001) stands as a singular figure in American art history—a painter, printmaker, and educator whose career spanned decades of artistic exploration and unwavering commitment to social justice. Born in New York City on July 19, 1904, the youngest son of Russian and Hungarian immigrants residing in a tenement apartment on the Lower East Side, Sternberg’s formative years instilled within him a deep understanding of urban hardship and the importance of artistic engagement with societal realities. This early exposure would profoundly shape his artistic trajectory.
  • Early Artistic Training: From the age of nine, Sternberg began formal art instruction at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, marking the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of visual mastery.
  • Formal Education & Influences: He honed his skills at the Art Students League of New York (1922-1926), absorbing techniques and philosophies championed by prominent instructors like George Ives and Maurice Sterne. Notably, his encounter with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in 1934 ignited a passion for Surrealism and fueled his involvement in leftist political movements.
Sternberg’s artistic output is characterized by two distinct yet interconnected currents: meticulous realism informed by observation of industrial landscapes and the expressive distortions inherent in Surrealist aesthetics. This duality found its fullest expression during his tenure at the Art Students League (1933-1968), where he mentored Isaac Holtz, fostering a new generation of artists dedicated to portraying the dignity and struggles of ordinary workers.
  • The Federal Art Project & Mural Commissions: Recognizing the transformative potential of art as a tool for social commentary, Sternberg accepted a position with the Graphic Art Division of the Federal Art Project (FAP) in 1935. This collaboration yielded monumental murals depicting scenes from American industrial history—particularly “Builders” and “Blast Furnace”—commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts under Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr., reflecting the spirit of New Deal reform.
  • Chicago Murals & Artistic Evolution: His subsequent journey to Chicago provided inspiration for “Chicago: Epoch of a Great City,” a sprawling mural celebrating the city’s heritage and dynamism. This ambitious project solidified Sternberg's reputation as a visionary artist capable of capturing complex narratives with both technical precision and emotional resonance.

Technique & Style: Surrealism Meets Precision

Sternberg’s artistic style blended meticulous observation with Surrealist experimentation. He excelled in etching, printmaking, and painting, demonstrating a mastery of tonal gradation and textural detail—evident in works like “Self Portrait” and “Harris Manchester College.” His prints often incorporated dreamlike imagery alongside realistic depictions of industrial subjects, reflecting his belief that art could illuminate hidden truths about human experience.
  • Notable Achievements: Sternberg’s Guggenheim Fellowship (1936) allowed him to immerse himself in the realities of coal mines and steel mills, resulting in drawings and paintings imbued with empathy for working-class individuals.
  • Legacy & Recognition: He received numerous awards throughout his career, cementing his place as one of America’s foremost artists dedicated to social realism and Surrealist aesthetics.

Historical Significance & Enduring Influence

Harry Sternberg's contribution to American art extends beyond individual masterpieces. His murals served as powerful emblems of the New Deal era, documenting the hardships faced by industrial laborers while simultaneously elevating their dignity through artistic representation. Furthermore, his embrace of Surrealism broadened the scope of artistic expression and challenged conventional notions of beauty—leaving an indelible mark on subsequent generations of artists. Sternberg’s unwavering commitment to social justice and his masterful blending of realism and imagination continue to inspire contemplation about art's role in shaping perceptions of society.
Harry Sternberg

Harry Sternberg

1904 - 2001 , United States

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Social Realism, Surrealism
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
    • Isabel Bishop
    • Minna Citron
    • Karl Schrag
    • Ed Clark
    • Charles White
    • Elizabeth Catlett
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
    • Diego Rivera
    • Frida Kahlo
  • Full Name: Harry Sternberg
  • Nationality: American
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Blast Furnace
    • Builders
    • Self Portrait
    • Chicago: Epoch of a Great City
  • Place Of Birth: New York City, USA
  • Date Of Birth: 1904
  • Date Of Death: 2001
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.