Edward Bruce (New Deal)
Encyclopedia
Edward Bruce was the director of the Public Works of Art Project
(PWAP) and the Section of Painting and Sculpture
, two New Deal
relief efforts that provided work for artists in the United States
during the Great Depression
. Bruce had been a successful lawyer and entrepreneur before giving up his career altogether at the age of forty-three to become an artist. However, like most artists during the Depression, he found it impossible to make a living making art, and grudgingly returned to business in 1932 as a lobbyist in Washington
for the Calamba Sugar Estate of San Francisco. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
received a letter from the American painter George Biddle
, who suggested a New Deal program that would hire artists to paint murals in federal office buildings. Roosevelt was intrigued by the idea, and brought the idea to the United States Treasury Department, which oversaw all construction of federal buildings. Bruce had by that time made some connections in Washington, and he was asked to help organize the effort.
, on April 13, 1879, the son of a Baptist minister; he began painting at the age of 14. He graduated from Columbia Law School
in 1904 with high honors. He began practicing law in New York
and Manila, Philippines with a prestigious firm, Bruce, Lawrence, Ross and Black. While working in Manila, he bought the Manila Times, a popular daily newspaper. In 1915 changed his focus to banking and trade throughout China
and the Far East
with a company he created, the Pacific Development Corporation.
Throughout this time Bruce continued painting and collecting art, particularly Chinese art
. In 1922 he ended his career as a businessman and moved to Italy
to study art with Maurice Stern
, an American painter and sculptor. He moved to California
in 1929 because of the oppressive Fascist conditions. His landscapes, which were heavily influenced by the Chinese works in his collection, were featured in a number of solo shows with excellent reviews in Paris, New York, and San Francisco.
Despite his acclaim as an artist, Bruce was unable to sell any artwork after the start of the Depression, and had to go back to a career in business. In the winter of 1932 he came to Washington to lobby on behalf of the Calamba Sugar Company, which had interests in the Philippines
. During this time, he cultivated good relations with Washington bureaucrats, and his reputation as an artist got him recommended for work on the newly conceived New Deal arts initiative.
On October 16, 1934, the Treasury Department created the Section of Painting and Sculpture
under Bruce's leadership.
Public Works of Art Project
The Public Works of Art Project was a program to employ artists, as part of the New Deal, during the Great Depression. It was the first such program, running from December 1933 to June 1934...
(PWAP) and the Section of Painting and Sculpture
Section of Painting and Sculpture
The Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture , commonly known as "the Section," was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the United States Department of the Treasury....
, two New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
relief efforts that provided work for artists in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Bruce had been a successful lawyer and entrepreneur before giving up his career altogether at the age of forty-three to become an artist. However, like most artists during the Depression, he found it impossible to make a living making art, and grudgingly returned to business in 1932 as a lobbyist in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
for the Calamba Sugar Estate of San Francisco. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
received a letter from the American painter George Biddle
George Biddle
George Biddle was an American artist best known for his social realism, combat art, and his strong advocacy of government-sponsored art projects...
, who suggested a New Deal program that would hire artists to paint murals in federal office buildings. Roosevelt was intrigued by the idea, and brought the idea to the United States Treasury Department, which oversaw all construction of federal buildings. Bruce had by that time made some connections in Washington, and he was asked to help organize the effort.
Early life
He was born in Dover Plains, New YorkDover Plains, New York
Dover Plains is a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 1,996 at the 2000 census...
, on April 13, 1879, the son of a Baptist minister; he began painting at the age of 14. He graduated from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in 1904 with high honors. He began practicing law in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Manila, Philippines with a prestigious firm, Bruce, Lawrence, Ross and Black. While working in Manila, he bought the Manila Times, a popular daily newspaper. In 1915 changed his focus to banking and trade throughout China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
with a company he created, the Pacific Development Corporation.
Throughout this time Bruce continued painting and collecting art, particularly Chinese art
Chinese art
Chinese art is visual art that, whether ancient or modern, originated in or is practiced in China or by Chinese artists or performers. Early so-called "stone age art" dates back to 10,000 BC, mostly consisting of simple pottery and sculptures. This early period was followed by a series of art...
. In 1922 he ended his career as a businessman and moved to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to study art with Maurice Stern
Maurice Stern
Maurice Stern is an American operatic tenor. He studied at the Eastman School of Music and with Franco Corelli in New York City. In 1959 he made his debut at the New York City Opera as The Emperor Altoum in Giacomo Puccini's Turandot. He performed regularly with the company through 1963...
, an American painter and sculptor. He moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1929 because of the oppressive Fascist conditions. His landscapes, which were heavily influenced by the Chinese works in his collection, were featured in a number of solo shows with excellent reviews in Paris, New York, and San Francisco.
Despite his acclaim as an artist, Bruce was unable to sell any artwork after the start of the Depression, and had to go back to a career in business. In the winter of 1932 he came to Washington to lobby on behalf of the Calamba Sugar Company, which had interests in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. During this time, he cultivated good relations with Washington bureaucrats, and his reputation as an artist got him recommended for work on the newly conceived New Deal arts initiative.
Work with Treasury Art Programs
In late 1933, Bruce was appointed the Treasury Department as administrator of the first federally supported arts program, the Public Works of Art Project. He was given the task of organizing the project and providing work for thousands of unemployed artists throughout the country. He formulated a plan with a committee of museum directors and community leaders. The project would employ artists to create murals and sculptures for public buildings depicting nationalistic scenes of the New Deal. In its six months of existence, the Public Works of Art Project employed about 3,700 artists, spending about $1,312,000.On October 16, 1934, the Treasury Department created the Section of Painting and Sculpture
Section of Painting and Sculpture
The Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture , commonly known as "the Section," was established in 1934 and administered by the Procurement Division of the United States Department of the Treasury....
under Bruce's leadership.