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Bohemians on the Breadline: The Radical Women Artists of Roosevelt's New Deal
Not yet published
Expected 8 Dec 26The extraordinary and unexamined history of a radical group of women artists funded by Roosevelt’s New Deal, who challenged racism and inequality and created enduring works of public art.
Like millions of Americans in the Great Depression, artists Alice Neel, Augusta Savage, Georgette Seabrooke, Lenore Thomas Straus, Elizabeth Olds, and Pablita Velarde gratefully embraced employment under the Federal Arts Project. It was one of the most unique social experiments in U.S. history—mass public funding of art meant for the public. Murals were painted, sculptures cast, and art classes were taught, as these talented artists gave back to the communities they lived in. But these women were also making radical art that challenged racism, inequality, and capitalism, and despite pressure by bureaucrats to dictate the art they made, they succeeded. When the New Deal programs were dissolved at the end of the decade, much of the art that had been made was destroyed or forgotten. The surviving works were absorbed into the landscape of our everyday lives. Because it’s always there, it’s rarely seen. Situated in housing projects, playgrounds, and municipal buildings, this art is seldom understood as more than a cultural artifact. But these are labors of love by women artists who put themselves at risk.
In vivid, eloquent prose backed up by archival research, Lauren Arrington brings to life the intimate and emotional stories of these women artists—of mentorship and activism, sex and socialism, tortured love affairs and children left behind. Above all, what endures is the art, what Eleanor Roosevelt called “a golden harvest” that the country reaped during its barren years.
Like millions of Americans in the Great Depression, artists Alice Neel, Augusta Savage, Georgette Seabrooke, Lenore Thomas Straus, Elizabeth Olds, and Pablita Velarde gratefully embraced employment under the Federal Arts Project. It was one of the most unique social experiments in U.S. history—mass public funding of art meant for the public. Murals were painted, sculptures cast, and art classes were taught, as these talented artists gave back to the communities they lived in. But these women were also making radical art that challenged racism, inequality, and capitalism, and despite pressure by bureaucrats to dictate the art they made, they succeeded. When the New Deal programs were dissolved at the end of the decade, much of the art that had been made was destroyed or forgotten. The surviving works were absorbed into the landscape of our everyday lives. Because it’s always there, it’s rarely seen. Situated in housing projects, playgrounds, and municipal buildings, this art is seldom understood as more than a cultural artifact. But these are labors of love by women artists who put themselves at risk.
In vivid, eloquent prose backed up by archival research, Lauren Arrington brings to life the intimate and emotional stories of these women artists—of mentorship and activism, sex and socialism, tortured love affairs and children left behind. Above all, what endures is the art, what Eleanor Roosevelt called “a golden harvest” that the country reaped during its barren years.
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication December 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 18, 2026
ARC from Netgalley.
Overall really interesting. Would recommend to anyone who likes art, the new deal, the early twentieth century, and untold stories of women.
What really bothered me (I think because it was an ARC) is there was so much conversation on art with no art! Everytime a piece was mentioned, I had to go look it up. Which brought my overall enjoyment of the book down.
There are a lot of names in the book. As a history teacher, art enjoyer, and new deal enthusiast, I thought I would be okay. But I had to juggle a lot to keep up with some of the names and stories in this book. I wouldn’t say it is written for beginners in the subject.
The stories were really interesting, I love deep perspectives on women, especially artists, and what I found most fascinating is how the stories are really linked to show how women both used the government funding to create their art and help their communities but defy traditional ideals and politics of the government within their work and groups. Really fascinating stuff.
Overall really interesting. Would recommend to anyone who likes art, the new deal, the early twentieth century, and untold stories of women.
What really bothered me (I think because it was an ARC) is there was so much conversation on art with no art! Everytime a piece was mentioned, I had to go look it up. Which brought my overall enjoyment of the book down.
There are a lot of names in the book. As a history teacher, art enjoyer, and new deal enthusiast, I thought I would be okay. But I had to juggle a lot to keep up with some of the names and stories in this book. I wouldn’t say it is written for beginners in the subject.
The stories were really interesting, I love deep perspectives on women, especially artists, and what I found most fascinating is how the stories are really linked to show how women both used the government funding to create their art and help their communities but defy traditional ideals and politics of the government within their work and groups. Really fascinating stuff.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Highly recommend for anyone interested in the history of the New Deal, twentieth century art, or unsung stories of women in history.
This takes a look at an aspect of the New Deal’s art programs I didn’t even know existed, and I really enjoyed learning about the women who participated.
(As always when reading any book about this era, the government/FBI’s insistence on prioritizing their anti-communist agenda over actually making the world a better place is enraging!)
This takes a look at an aspect of the New Deal’s art programs I didn’t even know existed, and I really enjoyed learning about the women who participated.
(As always when reading any book about this era, the government/FBI’s insistence on prioritizing their anti-communist agenda over actually making the world a better place is enraging!)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews