Bonnet

Art Historical Context

Lillian Causey's *Bonnet* (c. 1937) is a delicate watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering on paper, measuring 46 x 35 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA)—this work captures the intricate details of a traditional American bonnet, likely from the 19th century. Causey, one of over 400 artists involved in the Index, employed precise techniques to document everyday objects, blending soft watercolor washes for texture with fine graphite outlines and ink accents for clarity and depth. The Index of American Design, active from 1935 to 1942 during the Great Depression, aimed to celebrate and preserve America's cultural heritage through thousands of such detailed illustrations. By rendering folk art, crafts, and design elements like this bonnet—once a staple of women's fashion symbolizing modesty and practicality—Causey's piece highlights regional craftsmanship and historical domestic life. Displayed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, it underscores the project's role in fostering national pride and artistic employment amid economic hardship. This artwork invites visitors to appreciate how simple accessories embodied American ingenuity, bridging art, history, and everyday culture in a timeless visual record.

About the Artist

Lillian Causey · 1889–1949

Lillian Causey (1889–1949) was an American artist best known for her meticulous watercolor and graphite renderings of everyday American folk objects, created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Active primarily between 1935 and 1942, Causey contributed hundreds of detailed illustrations to this ambitious New Deal initi...