National Gallery of Art - Drawing on America's Past

December 4, 2002 10:26 AM

The Index of American DesignThe National Gallery of Art is showing some amazing watercolors commissioned by the Works Progress Administration between 1935 and 1942 to document a uniquely American cultural heritage of primarily traditional folk art (and employ out-of-work artists). I thought the textile reproductions were particularly stunning in their detailed exactitude (rendering the thread count!) and really put to shame the so-called trompe l'oeil paintings in the east gallery :D
posted by kliuless (2 comments total)

Great link, kliuless. I think a visit to the National Gallery is in order. The scope of the WPA was indeed broad. I am intrigued by the WPA poster collection, as well, although it certainly isn't very folky. Let's not forget the WPA's hand in folk music, either.
posted by samuelad at 11:48 AM on December 4, 2002

Great link kliuless & sorry to be so slow in acknowledging it - just going back over posts I missed this past week & was delighted to stumble on this gem - thanks!
posted by madamjujujive at 8:25 PM on December 10, 2002