Floor plan

South wing: ThemesIndex of American Design

Index of American Design

The image shows a large fan with intricate feather-like segments adorned with yellow patterns and a bird depiction. The color palette is grey with hints of yellow, brown, and metallic sheen on the ribs. The fan is positioned upright with the handle at the bottom center, and the feathers extend outward in a semi-circular shape.
The sculpture depicts a mythical creature resembling a dragon. It has a long spiraled body and an intricate head with spiky protrusions. The sculpture is a warm brown color. The dragon has bat-like wings, an open mouth, detailed texture with scales, and is standing on a small base.
The image displays wavy lines and shapes with a mix of colors, creating an abstract composition. Curved lines are intertwined, resembling braided patterns or woven fabric textures. On the left, there is a large, organic shape bordered by red, green, and beige. The right side showcases a rhythmic pattern resembling a braided rug, with strands of red, blue, and brown. The overall composition resembles a textured textile piece.
This is a painting of a decorative quilt pattern. The image shows a grid of square sections with various colorful motifs including stars, flowers, a horse, a house, and a cup. The design features vibrant colors, symmetrical patterns, and a central section with the date "1859". The quilt border has leaf-like patterns creating a frame around the central grid. The style is folk art.
This is a drawing of a wooden window shutter in a light-colored wall. The detailed study shows the craftsmanship of the shutter, with a focus on texture, form, wood grain, and panels. The aged and weathered texture suggests exposure to the elements. The shutter is secured with a metal latch in the center. The wall is subtly shaded to imply depth and setting, with slight distress marks adding to the aged ambiance of the scene.
The image displays a vintage mechanical bank with a brick-patterned tower on the left and a soldier figure on the right, prepared to operate a cannon. The color scheme is mainly earthy tones including brown, bronze, and hints of gold, creating a retro metallic appearance. The label "ARTILLERY BANK" is engraved on the base in front of the cannon.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Between 1935 and 1942 a Federal Art Project employed artists to record American decorative and folk objects in exact watercolour renderings: weathervanes, quilts, toys, ceramics, carved figures. The result is a visual archive of everyday craft, painted with remarkable care.

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows a large fan with intricate feather-like segments adorned with yellow patterns and a bird depiction. The color palette is grey with hints of yellow, brown, and metallic sheen on the ribs. The fan is positioned upright with the handle at the bottom center, and the feathers extend outward in a semi-circular shape.
    Feather FanTulita Westfall, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The sculpture depicts a mythical creature resembling a dragon. It has a long spiraled body and an intricate head with spiky protrusions. The sculpture is a warm brown color. The dragon has bat-like wings, an open mouth, detailed texture with scales, and is standing on a small base.
    FenceRose Campbell-Gerke, c. 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image displays wavy lines and shapes with a mix of colors, creating an abstract composition. Curved lines are intertwined, resembling braided patterns or woven fabric textures. On the left, there is a large, organic shape bordered by red, green, and beige. The right side showcases a rhythmic pattern resembling a braided rug, with strands of red, blue, and brown. The overall composition resembles a textured textile piece.
    Shaker Woolen RugGeorge V. Vezolles, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. This is a painting of a decorative quilt pattern. The image shows a grid of square sections with various colorful motifs including stars, flowers, a horse, a house, and a cup. The design features vibrant colors, symmetrical patterns, and a central section with the date "1859". The quilt border has leaf-like patterns creating a frame around the central grid. The style is folk art.
    Applique QuiltSuzanne Roy, 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of a wooden window shutter in a light-colored wall. The detailed study shows the craftsmanship of the shutter, with a focus on texture, form, wood grain, and panels. The aged and weathered texture suggests exposure to the elements. The shutter is secured with a metal latch in the center. The wall is subtly shaded to imply depth and setting, with slight distress marks adding to the aged ambiance of the scene.
    Sacristy Door at Mission San Juan BautistaEthel Dougan, 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image displays a vintage mechanical bank with a brick-patterned tower on the left and a soldier figure on the right, prepared to operate a cannon. The color scheme is mainly earthy tones including brown, bronze, and hints of gold, creating a retro metallic appearance. The label "ARTILLERY BANK" is engraved on the base in front of the cannon.
    Mechanical Artillery BankAlf Bruseth, c. 1940Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. The image shows two large quilt blocks with a matching design, side by side. Each block consists of red and beige fabric with quilted stitching creating a textured appearance. The color palette includes primarily red, beige, and dark stitching outlining the patterns. The quilt blocks are placed centrally on a light-colored surface.
    Patchwork QuiltPaul Ward, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of a textile design. The image consists of a pattern with the text "LYDIA FELT 1834 BLOOMFIELD" displayed along with decorative motifs of abstract leaves and floral shapes in a contrasting color against a dark background. The composition also includes the word "EAST" placed vertically and "YORK" placed horizontally. The combination of geometric shapes and organic elements forms a unified aesthetic typical of traditional textile patterns.
    CoverletMargaret Linsley, c. 1940Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. This is a drawing of a decorative mirror. It presents a detailed design of an ornate mirror with two views: a front view and a sectional view. The mirror frame is embellished with elaborate motifs, including scrolls and floral elements. The sectional view shows the mirror's depth and structural details, indicating attention to construction. Measurements are included in inches, with title and notes providing context on the mirror's location and purpose as part of interior furnishings.
    MirrorB. Holst-Grubbe, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. The image shows a painted artwork within an ornate frame. The artwork features a figure standing with one hand raised. The figure has long hair and a beard, and wears flowing blue and white garments. The background shows an earthy surface and a sky. The frame is gold and elaborately designed. The scene is set against a blank, light-colored background.
    Original Tabernacle, for Communion VesselsDayton Brown, 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a beige knitted fingerless glove on a light-colored background. The glove is flat and displayed vertically, with the thumb-piece extending to the left. There is a subtle dark pattern or lettering at the base of the glove. The color palette is warm with beige tones against the light background, emphasizing the texture and design of the glove.
    Knitted GloveElizabeth Moutal, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a decorative curved object with intricate patterns. There is a large green peacock motif in the center, surrounded by floral and geometric patterns. The color palette includes soft pinks, greens, and blue accents outlining the curve of the object. The object is placed on a plain light background.
    BandboxNicholas Acampora, 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. The image shows a translucent pitcher in soft, pale green with swirling, striped patterns and a curved handle. It is placed in the center of the frame, with a neutral off-white background. The spout faces slightly to the left and the handle curves from the right side.
    Glass PitcherBeverly Chichester, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image features a round, ornately decorated object resembling a shield with metallic-looking decorative hinges on its surface. The color palette is primarily earthy tones such as brown, red, and hints of gold. The object is centered in the image, viewed from the front, with engravings decorating its surface. The background is plain and light in color.
    Baptismal FontWilliam Kieckhofel, c. 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. This is a drawing of a wooden chair with detailed upholstery. The chair has an ornate, high backrest with elaborate scrollwork and a woven central panel. The seat is cushioned and covered with a floral patterned fabric. There is also a separate drawing of the fabric pattern used on the seat and a sketch of one of the chair's legs to show the craftsmanship and decorative elements.
    Side ChairUnrecorded American maker, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a painting of an intricate and colorful illuminated manuscript page. The full-description includes a richly decorated page featuring elaborate calligraphy and floral motifs. The left side showcases swirling ornamental patterns with vibrant colors - blues, reds, and golds - interwoven with blooming flowers and a small figure with wings. In the lower portion, there is a depiction of small buildings. The right side contains text in different styles, with the top section written in large decorative letters and the lower section in a more detailed script. The overall design is bordered with floral elements and intertwining vines. This is in the style of illuminated manuscripts found in historical European documents and books.
    FrakturAlbert Levone, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington