Biography
Edward Millman (1907–1964) was an American painter and muralist whose work for the Treasury Section of Fine Arts and the WPA Federal Art Project made him one of the most accomplished New Deal artists in the Midwest. Trained at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Millman developed a distinctive style rooted in social realism, strong draftsmanship, and dynamic narrative composition.
Millman’s most significant Missouri contribution is the monumental seven‑panel mural cycle created for the St. Louis Post Office in 1941. Executed in collaboration with fellow artist Mitchell Siporin, the cycle is one of the largest and most ambitious New Deal mural projects in the state.
Missouri Works
Under the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, Millman and Siporin completed a major mural cycle for the St. Louis Post Office. The seven panels depict Missouri’s history from frontier settlement to early statehood:
- “The Territory of Missouri” (1941)
- “The Struggle for Statehood” (1941)
- “Pre Civil War Missouri” (1941)
- “Early Commerce and Trade” (1941)
- “The River” (1941)
- “The Frontier” (1941)
- “The Pioneer” (1941)
Together, these murals form one of the most comprehensive visual narratives of Missouri’s early history produced during the New Deal era. Millman’s ability to combine historical storytelling with rhythmic composition makes this cycle a cornerstone of Missouri’s public art heritage.
New Deal Program Involvement
Millman worked under both the WPA Federal Art Project and the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. His federal commissions include murals for:
- St. Louis, Missouri (with Mitchell Siporin)
- Chicago, Illinois
- Detroit Naval Armory (with Siporin)
- Other major federal sites across the Midwest
His contributions reflect the Section’s emphasis on craftsmanship, historical clarity, and public accessibility. Millman’s Missouri mural cycle remains one of the most ambitious and historically rich New Deal projects in the state.