Comments on: National Gallery of Art - Drawing on America's Past

National Gallery of Art - Drawing on America's Past

kliuless — Wed, 04 Dec 2002 10:26:50 -0800

The Index of American Design The 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

By: samuelad

samuelad — Wed, 04 Dec 2002 11:48:03 -0800

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.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 20:25:09 -0800

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!