James D. Phelan (WPA)

 

Peter Van Valkenburgh

  1870 - 1955 (biography)

1939  

lithograph 

14 x 9 3/4" image 

signed only on the matrix 

about 28 impressions 

dated under the signature on the matrix; bears the blindstamp of the California Federal Art Project in the lower right corner of the paper 

WPA Graphics Achenbach Collection 65.37.959 

ivory wove Warren's Oldstyle 

published 

California Federal Art Project WPA 

AFAE198 

$450.00 

James D. Phelan was born the son of an Irish immigrant on April 20, 1861, in San Francisco. He graduated from St. Ignatius College and studied law at the University of California, Berkeley. Phelan became a banker and was elected Mayor of San Francisco serving between 1897 and 1902. He was a member of the Democratic Party and the Bohemian Club. Phelan was elected to the United States Senate and served between the years 1915 and 1921. After his death on August 7, 1930, his estate, Villa Montalvo, was gifted to the people of Santa Clara County. Today it is a center for visual and performing arts.