Bust of P.J. Landry

Art Historical Context

**Bust of P.J. Landry** by Al Curry, created around 1937, captures the dignified likeness of its subject in a precise bust portrait. Rendered in watercolor, colored pencil, graphite on paper (38.1 x 29 cm), this mixed-media work exemplifies the meticulous draftsmanship favored for detailed studies. The subtle layering of translucent watercolors over graphite underdrawings and colored pencil highlights allows for nuanced skin tones, fabric textures, and shadows, bringing a lifelike quality to the two-dimensional surface. This artwork is a gem from the *Index of American Design*, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project initiative during the Great Depression (1935–1942). Artists across the U.S. produced thousands of such renderings to document everyday American objects, crafts, and folk art, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Curry's contribution reflects this mission's emphasis on accuracy and artistic interpretation, blending realism with subtle color to honor regional design traditions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, the piece invites visitors to appreciate how 1930s artists like Curry championed American identity through accessible, documentary art. It's a window into both personal portraiture and a national effort to celebrate the nation's creative legacy.

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...