Floor plan

Style galleriesAmerican folk and design

American folk and design

The image shows an ornate metalwork design with a winged creature. The design features intricate wrought iron decoration with a mythical figure, resembling a Pegasus, enclosed within a circular frame. The central circle is surrounded by symmetrical, stylized scrollwork motifs and horizontal bars, suggesting an architectural or ornamental fixture intended for use in structures like gates or window grills. The detailed craftsmanship and balanced design highlight the creature's form and the harmonious symmetry of the patterns.
The image shows a painted decoy of a bird mounted on a wooden stake. The decoy has intricate details with spots of yellow and green on top of a dark body. The colors are naturalistic with brown, black, yellow, white, and beige. In the lower left section of the image, there are two line drawings of a bird.
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 image depicts a young person standing upright with distinct facial features including rounded cheeks, a small mouth, and large eyes. They are wearing a brown dress with a cream-colored shawl, a bonnet with dark trim, and a pouch hanging from their left side. The background is plain and cream-colored.
This is a drawing of two ornate elephants. The image depicts two stylized elephants, each adorned with decorative elements. Both elephants are shown carrying a structure on their backs, resembling a small tower or box with a red domed top. The left elephant is turned to the side, its trunk raised. The right elephant faces forward. Each structure on their backs is detailed with intricate designs, including a diamond shape on the side. The overall composition suggests a ceremonial or regal theme. The subtle use of colors like red and gold enhances the ornate appearance. The coloring and shading indicate an attention to detail typical of deliberately crafted illustrations.
This is a painting of two deer under a tree. The larger deer has antlers and is resting next to a smaller deer. They are depicted with red and brown strokes. The background shows a patch of earth and grass in green and blue. Beside the deer is a tree with colorful leaves or a feather-like structure and a red trunk. A pink flower is near the tree's base. The background is neutral. This painting is in the style of Henri Rousseau.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

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

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows an ornate metalwork design with a winged creature. The design features intricate wrought iron decoration with a mythical figure, resembling a Pegasus, enclosed within a circular frame. The central circle is surrounded by symmetrical, stylized scrollwork motifs and horizontal bars, suggesting an architectural or ornamental fixture intended for use in structures like gates or window grills. The detailed craftsmanship and balanced design highlight the creature's form and the harmonious symmetry of the patterns.
    Fence - Sea Horse DesignPearl Torell, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a painted decoy of a bird mounted on a wooden stake. The decoy has intricate details with spots of yellow and green on top of a dark body. The colors are naturalistic with brown, black, yellow, white, and beige. In the lower left section of the image, there are two line drawings of a bird.
    Snipe DecoyLawrence Flynn, 1941Courtesy 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 1, south wall

  1. The image depicts a young person standing upright with distinct facial features including rounded cheeks, a small mouth, and large eyes. They are wearing a brown dress with a cream-colored shawl, a bonnet with dark trim, and a pouch hanging from their left side. The background is plain and cream-colored.
    Quaker DollJacob Gielens, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of two ornate elephants. The image depicts two stylized elephants, each adorned with decorative elements. Both elephants are shown carrying a structure on their backs, resembling a small tower or box with a red domed top. The left elephant is turned to the side, its trunk raised. The right elephant faces forward. Each structure on their backs is detailed with intricate designs, including a diamond shape on the side. The overall composition suggests a ceremonial or regal theme. The subtle use of colors like red and gold enhances the ornate appearance. The coloring and shading indicate an attention to detail typical of deliberately crafted illustrations.
    Iron Bank ElephantZ.S. Lupus, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. This is a painting of two deer under a tree. The larger deer has antlers and is resting next to a smaller deer. They are depicted with red and brown strokes. The background shows a patch of earth and grass in green and blue. Beside the deer is a tree with colorful leaves or a feather-like structure and a red trunk. A pink flower is near the tree's base. The background is neutral. This painting is in the style of Henri Rousseau.
    Crewel EmbroideryHelen Dana, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south 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. This image shows an engraved design featuring a cannon with large wheels next to an eagle perched on top, situated on the left side of a rectangular stone slab. The color scheme is predominantly grayscale with subtle hints of blue and gray tones throughout the stone surface. The cannon is positioned slightly to the left in the composition, with its barrel pointing to the right, while the eagle is perched on the cannon barrel facing forward, wings tucked close to its body. To accompany the cannon, a stack of cannonballs is carved on the lower left, further anchoring the scene within the carved rectangle.
    Bas ReliefEdward L. Loper, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image depicts a large, round, domed container with a handle on its side. It has a textured and layered appearance with a central band. The color palette consists of various shades of brown and some orange tones. The container is centered in the image with the handle facing towards the viewer. The name "Janetta Badanes" is visible near the bottom right of the image.
    Copper Baptismal FontJuanita Donahoo, c. 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. The image depicts a person standing upright. They are wearing a dark green dress with long sleeves and a floor-length skirt. Over the dress, there is a white fabric wrapped around their shoulders. The person is holding a closed umbrella in their right hand. Their face is dark with distinguishable eyes and a nose, but specific facial features are not detailed. The person's hair is covered by a colorful headscarf with shades of blue, pink, and yellow. They are wearing large earrings, possibly pink or red. The background is plain and light with no additional objects present.
    Doll--"Hannah Hitch"Edith Towner, c. 1940Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a drawing of a decorative family record. The central feature is a structure resembling a classical monument or altar labeled "FAMILY RECORD" at the top. The structure has columns and a pediment with names and dates. Flanking the list are two figures holding flowers, dressed in long gowns of blue and white. Above the structure are two large urns and a floral arrangement with pink flowers and green foliage. The background is a soft, neutral color. Green leaves and small flowers further embellish the scene.
    Family Record of Susan B. AnthonyJohn Wilkes, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. The image displays a single ornate vase with a bulbous base and a ruffled top, taking up most of the frame. The vase is predominantly pink with red accents, the ruffled top is highlighted with white on the inner edges, and there's a crisscross pattern visible on the body. Against a plain beige background, the vase is centrally positioned.
    Ornamental Ruby VaseRobert Stewart, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. 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
  3. The image shows two foot stools. One is a round stool with four legs and the other is a small two-step wooden staircase. The color palette includes shades of brown and tan against a light beige background. The round stool is positioned to the left, and the step-stool is to the right. Both are labeled with the words "Foot Stools" below them.
    Shaker StoolsLawrence Foster, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. 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
  2. This is a painting of a decorative box with pastoral scenes. The box has an oval lid and rectangular base adorned with intricate pastoral scenes in earthy tones. The scenes depict landscapes with trees, hills, and figures engaged in various activities against a warm backdrop. The lid has a similar scene, creating a cohesive decorative theme. The style resembles 19th-century European art focusing on pastoral genre scenes and decorative arts. The artwork delicately balances detail and composition, evoking calm and nostalgia.
    BandboxJohn Tarantino, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington