Biography
Mitchell Siporin (1910–1976) was an American painter and muralist whose work for the Section of Fine Arts made him one of the most respected public artists of the New Deal era. Known for his strong compositions, social awareness, and narrative clarity, Siporin brought a modern, humanistic voice to federal mural commissions.
His Missouri mural cycle — completed for the St. Louis Post Office in 1942 — is one of the most ambitious and historically rich New Deal projects in the state, depicting Missouri’s frontier, wartime, and postwar identity.
Missouri Works
Siporin completed a major four‑panel mural cycle for the St. Louis Post Office under the Section of Fine Arts:
- “Discovery and Colonization” — St. Louis, Missouri (1942)
- “The Civil War” — St. Louis, Missouri (1942)
- “George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone” — St. Louis, Missouri (1942)
- “The Post War Period — Reconstruction” — St. Louis, Missouri (1942)
These murals form a sweeping visual narrative of Missouri’s early history, from frontier exploration to the complexities of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Siporin’s dynamic compositions and humanistic approach make this cycle one of the most important New Deal mural projects in Missouri.
Illinois Works
Before completing his Missouri mural cycle, Siporin produced significant New Deal works in Illinois under both the WPA Federal Art Project and the Treasury Section of Fine Arts:
- “Teaching of the Arts” — Lane Tech College Prep High School, Chicago (1938), four fresco panels, WPA‑FAP.
- “The Fusion of Agriculture and Industry” (Butchering & Mining) — Decatur Post Office, Illinois (1938), oil on canvas, Treasury Section.
- “The Fusion of Agriculture and Industry” (Pioneers) — Decatur Post Office, Illinois (1938), oil on canvas, Treasury Section.
- “The Fusion of Agriculture and Industry” (Steel) — Decatur Post Office, Illinois (1938), oil on canvas, Treasury Section.
These Illinois works established Siporin’s reputation as a leading social realist muralist and directly informed the narrative style he later brought to Missouri.
New Deal Program Involvement
Siporin worked under the Section of Fine Arts, completing federal commissions across the United States. His murals emphasized:
- social realism
- labor and community
- narrative clarity
- public accessibility
His Missouri mural cycle stands as one of the finest examples of New Deal muralism in the state and reflects the Section’s commitment to craftsmanship and civic storytelling.