Floor plan

Style galleriesAmerican folk and design

American folk and design

This is a painting of stylized figures within an ornate frame. The artwork features two central figures that are reminiscent of a traditional religious iconography but rendered in a simplified and almost cartoonish form. The larger figure is draped in blue with red accents, while a smaller figure is held in one hand, enrobed in red. The background is decorated with a variety of patterns including an arch-like structure with wavy designs and lines, all outlining the central figures. The outer sections feature floral patterns with bold, contrasting colors of red, black, and teal. The use of thick outlines and vivid colors suggests a playful and decorative approach to the portrayal of the figures, drawing inspiration possibly from folk art traditions.
The image shows a large, rusted ax with a curved brown handle placed diagonally across the canvas. The color palette consists of muted browns and beiges, highlighting the aged appearance of the ax. Beneath the ax, there is a faint outline sketch of a similar object, and the artist's signature is located to the right of the sketch. The ax is in the upper half of the image, while the sketch and signature are in the center-bottom section.
The image depicts a detailed illustration of a dress with exaggerated puff sleeves and ruffles towards the bottom. It is created using a dotted pattern with red accents around the edges and seams. The color palette consists of mostly muted tones with touches of red. The dress is positioned in the upper right quadrant of the image, while a smaller, less detailed sketch of the same dress without colors is located in the lower left quadrant.
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.
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.
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.

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. This is a painting of stylized figures within an ornate frame. The artwork features two central figures that are reminiscent of a traditional religious iconography but rendered in a simplified and almost cartoonish form. The larger figure is draped in blue with red accents, while a smaller figure is held in one hand, enrobed in red. The background is decorated with a variety of patterns including an arch-like structure with wavy designs and lines, all outlining the central figures. The outer sections feature floral patterns with bold, contrasting colors of red, black, and teal. The use of thick outlines and vivid colors suggests a playful and decorative approach to the portrayal of the figures, drawing inspiration possibly from folk art traditions.
    St. JosephE. Boyd, 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a large, rusted ax with a curved brown handle placed diagonally across the canvas. The color palette consists of muted browns and beiges, highlighting the aged appearance of the ax. Beneath the ax, there is a faint outline sketch of a similar object, and the artist's signature is located to the right of the sketch. The ax is in the upper half of the image, while the sketch and signature are in the center-bottom section.
    Dumb IronAlfonso Moreno, c. 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image depicts a detailed illustration of a dress with exaggerated puff sleeves and ruffles towards the bottom. It is created using a dotted pattern with red accents around the edges and seams. The color palette consists of mostly muted tones with touches of red. The dress is positioned in the upper right quadrant of the image, while a smaller, less detailed sketch of the same dress without colors is located in the lower left quadrant.
    Child's DressRay Price, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south 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. 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
  3. 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 2, south wall

  1. 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
  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
  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, north wall

  1. The image shows a wooden side table with a smooth surface and four tapered legs, as well as a decorative drawer front. The table has a rich brown color with gold accents and black inlay details. It is positioned towards the center of the image. On the left, there are design patterns in an oval shape and a thin line drawing. The background is off-white. There are handwritten numbers and letters at the bottom right corner of the image.
    Card TableFlorence Choate, c. 1953Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a wooden chair with a tall back featuring three wide horizontal slats. The chair has an upholstered seat, likely grey or muted in color. The color palette consists of natural wood tones and a neutral seat color. The chair is facing slightly to the left with the seat slightly tilted.
    Shaker Side ChairRay Holden, c. 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. This is a painting of a quilt design pattern. The image depicts a square quilt block featuring a variety of geometric shapes and patterns pieced together. The quilt features a mix of colors, including blues, reds, browns, and a pink border, with intricate patterns in the fabric segments. The textures and colors create an intricate optical composition resembling different geometric forms and depth. The piece is delicately framed within a larger white space, which emphasizes the detail of the quilt pattern. This is in the style of a traditional textile or quilting pattern illustrator.
    Cotton Bed QuiltElgin Moncure Styll, c. 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. 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
  2. A brown tree branch with several thick, bifurcated limbs is central in the image. The background is a muted beige with aged discoloration marks. The branch is oriented horizontally, with its thicker end on the left and split limbs extending to the right. In the top left corner, there is a rectangular inset with a simplified line drawing of the branch's shape.
    BootjackLloyd A. Davidson, c. 1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. 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
  2. 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