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American folk and design

The everyday art of early America, recorded in watercolour by the Index of American Design.

90 works · hang 5708 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows a large wooden chest with a rectangular design and a keyhole on its front panel. The chest has a weathered look in muted browns and grays. It is positioned in the center with its top, front, and side panels visible. The background is plain and light in color.
    Utility ChestHenry Tomaszewski, 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a large hat with a broad brim, decorated with a ribbon and floral or lace-like embellishments. The color palette consists of shades of gray and soft purples. The hat is centered in the frame, with its brim curving to the left and the decorative elements extending to the sides.
    BonnetRosalia Lane, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. This is a painting of a carousel horse. The image shows a gray carousel horse with glossy highlights and shading. The horse has a blue and red saddle with gold bands, and a blue harness with red accents. The horse is mid-gallop, with animated legs. The background is plain to focus on the horse's design. The style is detailed and realistic, reminiscent of carousel art from the late 19th to early 20th century.
    Carousel HorseDorothy Handy, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. This is a drawing of a wooden door panel. It features a detailed rendering of a rectangular wooden door panel with vertical lines. Below the door panel, there is an elevation view showing the construction detail of the door in cross-section, with measurements indicating dimensions and proportions. The color palette is in shades of brown and beige. A signature in the lower right corner attributes the drawing to an artist named Geoffrey Holt.
    One of Original Inside Doors to SacristyGeoffrey Holt, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image displays a full-body illustration of a person standing upright. They have a delicate and round face with rosy cheeks and small, pink lips. Their eyes are large and expressive, and they have light-colored hair peeking out from under a bonnet. The person's attire consists of a long, dark skirt and a light-colored shawl draped over their shoulders. They wear a hooded cloak tied with a bow at the neck, and hold a small bag in their left hand. The background is plain with a light-colored texture. The artwork is a painted illustration with visible fine lines and shading to enhance details of the clothing and facial features.
    Quaker DollBertha Semple, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a wooden chair with a rush seat. It features ornate details on the backrest. The color palette includes dark wood tones, pale greenish detailing, and a warm yellowish hue for the seat. The chair is centrally positioned in the image, viewed from the front, with no other objects around it.
    Ladderback ChairGerald Bernhardt, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. The image shows a lace-trimmed sleeve with a floral lace design in the center, primarily in shades of gray and off-white. The sleeve is positioned vertically in the center of the image, with the top slightly obscured by shadow and the ruffled lace edge at the bottom. The lace details are intricate and precise, enhancing the texture and complexity of the design.
    Cuff LaceErwin Schwabe, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows an antique double kerosene lamp with ornate glass chimneys set atop a horizontal cylindrical base with a central vertical support ending in a circular handle. The base and lamp parts have a bronze-like color with a textured appearance, and the glass chimneys are primarily clear but show hints of colorful reflections. Positioned centrally in the image, the lamp stands upright with the two chimneys equally spaced on either side of the vertical support, which is topped by a circular loop handle, while the signature "J. Cannella" is visible towards the lower right side of the image.
    Reading LampJoseph Cannella, 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a dark metal object with two parts: a handle and a blade. The color palette consists of shades of dark brown on a light beige background. The handle is located at the top center, and the blade portion is positioned below it, both aligned vertically in the center of the frame.
    SpitEmile Cero, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. The image shows five metallic objects arranged in a vertical column. These include three L-shaped brackets and two circular rings, in muted gray and rust-brown shades with a metallic sheen. The objects are positioned against a light, neutral background.
    Color Notes on IronGerald Transpota, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. 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
  3. The image features a large terracotta pot with two small handles on its sides. The pot is primarily in shades of earthy orange and brown with some lighter patches that suggest a slightly weathered texture. It is positioned centrally against a plain, light background.
    Preserving JarWilford H. Shurtliff, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. This is a drawing of a dress design. The illustration features a dress with a square neckline, adorned with embroidery around the bust area. The dress has a high waistline with a gathered skirt. The lower part of the dress also features floral embroidery patterns. The design emphasizes fine lines and delicate patterns.
    Baptismal DressEvelyn Bailey, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. 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 3, south wall

  1. The image shows a person standing upright. They have a round face with simple facial features, wearing a hat with a red flower and dark ribbon. Their outfit includes a belted dress or coat, pleated texture, a cape, and arm coverings. The person is holding a matching umbrella in their right hand. The background is plain and light tan.
    Corn Husk DollMina Lowry, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image displays a detailed pencil sketch of a curved architectural structure in the center of a light beige canvas. The sketch is in grayscale, with a simple color palette. The object occupies a small portion of the canvas, surrounded by negative space.
    Knee BuckleEdna Crenshaw Rex, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington