Chest

Art Historical Context

Grace Bolser's *Chest* (c. 1939) is a meticulous rendering of an American furniture piece, captured in watercolor, colored pencil, gouache, graphite on paperboard. Measuring 35.5 x 45.5 cm (14 x 17 15/16 in.), this work vividly documents a chest originally 23 inches wide, 27 inches, and 44 inches. Bolser's skilled use of mixed media brings out the wood grains, hardware details, and ornamental elements, transforming a functional object into a study of craftsmanship and form. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression—this artwork exemplifies a national effort from 1935 to 1942. Artists across the U.S. produced over 15,000 precise, colorful plates to catalog and preserve everyday American folk art and design, from quilts to furniture, safeguarding cultural heritage amid economic hardship. Bolser's contribution highlights the Index's artistic significance: blending scientific accuracy with aesthetic appeal to celebrate regional traditions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection (Department: CG-W), it invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody America's inventive spirit and handcrafted legacy.