RMW-004: Lost New Deal Artwork
Many works from the New Deal era have gone missing or made their way into private possession.
Roadshow's Most Wanted Case Number
RMW-004
Time Period
1933 - Present
Seeker
United States Government
Location
Throughout the United States
Items Sought
Thousands of artworks created for public buildings under New Deal programs, including the Works Progress Administration, from 1933 to 1943.
Case Status
Ongoing
Case Summary
During the New Deal era, the U.S. Government employed thousands of artists to create tens of thousands of works of art (such as paintings, prints, and sculptures). Since that time, many of these works have gone missing or made their way into private possession, and the GSA's Fine Arts Program is tasked with locating and recovering these pieces on behalf of the federal government. It is the GSA's general policy to loan recovered artwork to qualifying institutions, such as museums or university art galleries.
Resources
GSA's Fine Arts Collection
GSA's Legal Fact Sheet
City Landscape, 1936. Oil, by Francis Criss. 25" x 29". Last known location: Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 46 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN.
Related
RMW-001: Stolen California Plein Air Collection
RMW-002: Missing Artifacts from the Wisconsin Historical Society
RMW-003: Colorado Unclaimed Property Division
RMW-005: Missing Norman Rockwell Coca-Cola Illustrations
RMW-006: Stolen Artworks from Hobcaw Barony
RMW-007: The Missing Norman Studios Film Reels
RMW-008: The Apollo Theater Archive
