Where it's always been true of mural painters. (aaa.si.edu)
Lee worked as mural painter for the Public Works of Art Project, New York, 1934; Temporary Emergency Relief Administration, New York, 1934 - 35; Works Project Administration (W.P.A.) Federal Arts Project, New York, 1934; and the Federal Arts Project, Mural Division, 1938 - 42. (cooperalumni.org)
Under the New Deal, he produced murals for the Works Progress Administration, and was greatly influenced by the work of Mexican mural painters David Alfaro Siquieros and Diego Rivera. (levygorvy.com)