Gottlieb was one of America's first Social Realist painters, influenced by the Robert Henri-led movement in New York City where Gottlieb settled in 1918. He was also a pioneer in screen printing, which he learned while working for the WPA.
In 1935, he joined the Federal Art Project; he was one of the first members of the WPA/FAP's Silk Screen Unit. Gottlieb remained active as a painter and screen printer after the closure of the Federal Art Project, and served as the first director of the short-lived American Artists School in New York City. Gottlieb was a leader and active member of the Artists Union and the Artists Congress.
He lectured widely on art education and promoted the government support of artist and artistic projects.
His work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
