Presenting the original figurative wood sculpture

of American WPA artist

Burton Freund

(1915-1968)

Burton Freund was an important American sculptor and illustrator, creating a body of figurative original art that spanned decades. His illustrations were prominently featured in virtually every American literary publication/magazine from, The New Yorker to The Saturday Review of Literature. The work of Burton Freund mirrored the history and culture of America through the great depression and into the modern world of the 1950's.  

Examples of his illustrations occasionally surface in the form of a rare drawings or print, however his early sculpture from c.1938 -1945 have been held aside, until now. This will the first occasion since the work was originally conceived and created, that any of the original figurative wood sculpture has been available.

Acquired directly from the personal collection of the artist, created, c.1938-1945, these works embody the strength and character made famous by American artist's of the period, as the government strived to provide artistic work(WPA) for the nations artist's during the depression era of America in the 1930's. 

It is with pleasure that we invite you to enjoy one of the rarest bodies of original American figurative sculpture, the works of 

American artist

Burton Freund

Please contact the gallery for information, availability and prices.

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On the train platform in Chicago in 1938, the artist met a, "Red Cap" porter and noticed a key hanging from his neck inscribed, "Phi Beta Kappa." He asked the man about the key, and was told that he was indeed a graduate Phi Beta Kappa. When asked why he was working as a train porter, the man told him, "This is the best job I could find." The artist carved him out of solid ebony including the monogrammed key hanging around his neck, and titled the sculpture, "Phi Beta Red Kappa"

Burton Freund

"Phi Beta Red Kappa"

Carved Ebony

American, Signed, c.1938

24 Inches

Detail: "Phi Beta Red Kappa"