Bird

Art Historical Context

**Bird** by Mina Lowry created around 1937, is a watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering on paperboard, measuring 22.7 x 27 cm. This intimate work captures the essence of a small American design—a bird figure originally about 6 3/8 inches high and 67/8 inches longthrough meticulous line work and subtle color washes that highlight its form and texture. As part of the *Index of American Design*, Works Progress Administration (WPA project from the Great Depression era (1935–1942), Lowry's piece documents everyday American folk art and craftsmanship. Hundreds of artists across the U.S. produced over 18,000 such renderings to preserve cultural heritage, blending artistic skill with historical record-keeping. Lowry's technique exemplifies the Index's precision: fine graphite underdrawings, ink outlines for definition, and watercolor for lifelike vibrancy, making a three-dimensional artifact accessible on paper. Displayed in the National Gallery of Art, this work celebrates the ingenuity of American makers, evoking the charm of carved wooden birds common in early 20th-century decorative traditions. It invites visitors to appreciate how WPA artists like Lowry bridged art and history, safeguarding slices of national identity for future generations.

About the Artist

Mina Lowry · 1894–1942

Mina Lowry (1894–1942), an American artist born in Canada, emerged as a prominent portrait painter whose career bridged traditional portraiture and the documentation of American folk art. Immigrating to Buffalo, New York, with her family around 1901, she honed her skills early on, winning first prize for modeling at the Albright Art School and studying under the esteemed Florence J. Bach. Lowry fu...