Armoire
c. 1939
Medium
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall (approximate): 45.8 x 35.3 cm (18 1/16 x 13 7/8 in.) Original IAD Object: 93"high; 50"wide; 17 1/4"deep
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.5859
Art Historical Context
Created around 1939 by Sarkis Erganian, *Armoire* is a meticulous rendering from the Index of American Design, a-era project that documented America's rich heritage of folk and decorative arts during the Great Depression. This, colored pencil, and drawing on paper (45.8 x 35.3 cm) captures a armoire—originally 93 inches high, 50 inches, and 17¼ deep—likely an 18th- or 19th-century furniture piece blending European influences with regional craftsmanship. Erganian's precise technique highlights the armoire's carved details, wood grain, and architectural form, showcasing the Index's goal of pres...