Up for sale is a new print of an unusual 1930’s poster promoting the Brookfield Zoo.  The zoo had just opened a few years before and the Illinois Federal Art Project created several posters, including this one, to promote it.  The unknown designer chose one of the most feared and beautiful animals in the world, a snow-white polar bear that seems to be turning and sniffing the air.  The text simply reads: “Visit The Brookfield Zoo Free Thursday, Saturday, Sunday”. 

Chartered in 1925 and opened in 1934, The Brookfield Zoo is located in the Chicago suburbs.  The zoo covers an area of 200 acres and is home to more than 400 species of animals that inhabit naturalistic environments that are reminiscent of their natural habitats.  The zoo is internationally recognized for its innovative programs and its work in animal breeding and conservation.

At the depth of the Depression in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration, or the WPA as it is commonly known.  It was designed to put Americans, including members of the artistic community, to work.  As part of the WPA, The Federal Art Project was formed.

As part of the Federal Art Project, artists were engaged to do local posters.  The posters were designed to publicize exhibits, community activities, theatrical productions, and health and educational programs in seventeen states and the District of Columbia, with the strongest representation from California, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.  This poster is part of that body of work.

Many of these posters, including this one, were created in a style that was then called modernist but which we call Art Deco today.  In the late 1930’s art deco was an important style.  At a time of massive technical change, the style of Art Deco embraced every facet of that change.  Furniture, houses, skyscrapers (The Empire State Building is among the best known) were all influenced by this movement.  Poster art, especially commercial posters, were one of its most lasting contributions.

This print is on a quality 100# high glossy text paper.  The poster measures 10.5” (w) X 13.5” (h).  It has a small border to allow for framing.  When matted, this size is perfect for a standard 16” x 20” frame, a manageable size for a variety of decorating purposes.

The condition of this item is new.

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You can see all of the zoo posters and prints in our store by simply typing the word “zoo” in the store search box and you will see everything we have.  

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1051  (05/05)