Category Archives: New Deal Administration

Grandjean Bridge: New Orleans City Park

Posted on February 25, 2017 by

The Grandjean Bridge, named for George Grandjean, park commissioner and designer of the original lagoons, is one of nine bridges built by the WPA in New Orleans City Park.  Constructed in 1938, the bridge is located behind the New Orleans Museum … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco architecture, Bridges, Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans, Works Progress Administration | Tagged , | 8 Comments

McFadden Cabin: New Orleans City Park

Posted on February 8, 2017 by

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) is seen in many of the artistic and functional structures of New Orleans’ City Park.  The McFadden Girl Scout Cabin was donated to the park by William McFadden and constructed in the early 1920s, specifically … Continue reading →

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Fountain of the Four Winds

Posted on February 5, 2017 by

Enrique Alférez created the Fountain of the Four Winds sculpture and fountain in 1936-1937 for the Shushan Airport–later New Orleans Airport and currently, Lakefront Airport. Alférez served as director of the sculpture program for New Orleans WPA artists (Works Progress … Continue reading →

Posted in Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans, Works Progress Administration | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Flight Over Bali: Xavier Gonzalez

Posted on February 3, 2017 by

Xavier Gonzalez is pictured sitting in front of the mural Bali, holding a paint brush.  This mural is missing from those in the former Shushan Airport of New Orleans.  Some evidence exists that it may have been destroyed (either accidentally … Continue reading →

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Flight over Egypt: Xavier Gonzalez murals

Posted on January 22, 2017 by

I think of all the Xavier Gonzalez murals painted for the New Orleans airport in 1938, the flight over Egypt might be my favorite story–though not necessarily favorite painting.  I think there are aspects of all of them that make … Continue reading →

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Paris and the Lindbergh Landing: Xavier Gonzalez Mural

Posted on January 16, 2017 by

Fifth in the series of murals painted by Xavier Gonzalez in 1938 for the newly opened Shushan Airport in New Orleans, Paris and the Lindbergh Landing shows Lindbergh’s arrival in Paris following his 1927 New York City to Paris trans-Atlantic flight. … Continue reading →

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New York Metropolis

Posted on January 15, 2017 by

The wealth and power of modern civilization seem symbolized by Manhattan’s famous sky-line, towering in the distance across the Hudson River, against the glorious background of the rising sun. The commerce and industry of the Metropolis are proclaimed by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco architecture, Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Land of the Mayas: Gonzalez Mural in New Orleans Lakefront Airport

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

The “Land of the Mayas” mural depicts a Sikorsky plane flying over the Pyramids of the Magician in Uxmal, Mexico. Igor Sikorsky, originally from Ukraine, established the Sikorsky Corporation in 1925, in Connecticut.  Sikorsky is likely most remembered for developing … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco architecture, Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Flight Over South Pole

Posted on January 6, 2017 by

Second only to Lindbergh’s epic in firing the enthusiasm of the public were Admiral Byrd’s achievements at the South Pole. In this panel, the big triple-motored Ford monoplane “Floyd Bennett” is shown taking off from the ice for a flight … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco architecture, Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Flight Over Rio

Posted on January 5, 2017 by

Earlier in the year, I introduced the former Shushan Airport of New Orleans, and its magnificent restoration following a make-over in the 1960s to serve as a concrete and steel nuclear fall-out shelter, and the final insult of Hurricane Katrina … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco architecture, Louisiana, New Deal Administration, New Orleans | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments