Biography
Paul Sample (1896–1974) was one of the leading American Regionalist painters of the 1930s and 1940s. Known for his depictions of New England life, labor, and landscape, Sample’s work combined strong draftsmanship with a quiet, observational tone that resonated with audiences across the country.
Although not a Missouri WPA artist, Sample’s paintings were exhibited in Missouri during the WPA era, appearing in museum shows and traveling exhibitions that helped define the national Regionalist movement.
Missouri Connections
Sample’s connection to Missouri comes through his participation in the broader Regionalist ecosystem. His work was shown in:
- Museum exhibitions in Missouri
- WPA‑era traveling shows that circulated through the state
- Regionalist surveys that included Missouri artists and institutions
These exhibitions helped introduce Missouri audiences to the national Regionalist movement and placed Sample’s work in dialogue with Missouri figures such as Thomas Hart Benton, Joe Jones, and Frederick Shane.
WPA‑Era Context
While Sample did not work directly for the WPA, he was active during the same period and shared many of the movement’s themes:
- everyday American life
- regional identity
- labor and community
- accessible imagery for broad audiences
His inclusion in this archive reflects his documented Missouri exhibition history and his role in shaping the visual language of American Regionalism.