Sidney LOEB

Sidney Loeb (1904-1972) was an American sculptor and painter who gained notoriety during the WPA era in Chicago. He created multiple sculptures for public institutions around the Chicagoland area in the late 1930s through early 1940s. Even though he served as a sergeant during World War II, he continued to receive and complete artistic commissions during his deployment and intermittent leaves from combat. His style during the WPA era was decidedly American Scene with strong, stylized human figures. As his career continued, his artwork became more abstract, employing strong brushstrokes to create abstractions and simplified landscape and portraiture. By favoring watercolor as his medium of choice, the strength of his lines were softened by watercolor’s inherent properties, lending Loeb’s artwork a unique and pleasing signature appearance.