Existing comment:
The Artist:
Seymour Fogel, born 25 August 1911 in New York City, an artist, muralist, teacher and writer is identified with the Social Realist movement of the 1930's. After studying at the National Academy of Design, Fogel painted many public murals, the first of which was painted for the lobby of the Works Progress Administration Building at the 1939 New York World's Fair. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his life. Fogel's art work is included in nationally recognized museums and major private collections.
Seymour Fogel's early work in federal buildings includes murals in Safford, Arizona and Cambridge, Minnesota post offices as well as this building which was built in 1942 for the Social Security Administration. The commission for these murals was won by competition. He was one of six artists selected from 375 entrants competing for the opportunity to interpret themes and ideas relating to the newly created Social Security Administration.
Seymour Fogel's entry for the Social Security Competition was for the Auditorium Lobby walls however, he was selected to complete the Independence Avenue Lobby walls.
Fogel attempted to use portions of panels from his original entry, but was disappointed with the results.
The completed mural differs greatly from both his original entry and his first "collapsed" composition.
The sketch submitted to the Department of the Treasury is the final composition however, he continued to bring the figures to life during the painting of the mural. |