Lester Beall, a key proponent of modernist graphic design in America during the 1930s through the 60s, has a new web presence that functions as a primer to his life's work.

Text from wife Dorothy Miller Beall, originally printed in the December 1969 issue of the Journal of The American Institute of Graphic Arts, is illustrated with salient examples from Beall's portfolio, including the famous Rural Electrification Administration posters (shown above), his work with the US government (below), and paintings from the family's personal collection. According to the site, Beall's choice of media was considered unorthodox; he used old woodcuts, lithos, drawings, painting pieces, photomontage and photograms, shepherding many of the ideas of the European avant-gardists into the American mainstream.

The new site was funded by the Estate of Lester Beall and designed by Greg Chinn of Jargon Boy, who is married to Beall's youngest grandaughter. If you're done there and thirsty for more, read R.Roger Remington's essay on Beall here.

One more after the jump.