A mixed media work by Alton S. Tobey in pencil and oils depicting a pair of African American Navy Midshipmen toiling at work. This work from the WPA era is handsomely framed in a period wide profile gesso frame behind glass.

The Connecticut based artist Alton Tobey began his career in the midst of the Depression and worked as an active WPA artist in the Federal Art Project, creating murals throughout Connecticut. His work can be seen in the East Hartford, CT post office, and the Hartford Library. Later in his career the artist returned to mural work, creating pieces for the Smithsonian Institute and Douglas MacArthur memorial. Other highlights of Tobey’s career include a series of profound illustrations recounting the saga of humanity from the Neolithic period to the 20th century called “The Epic of Man,” which he created on commission for “Life Magazine” where he also worked as a cover illustrator.