Chest with Drawer

Art Historical Context

**Chest with Drawer** by Charles Squires (c. 1938) is a captivating watercolor rendering that showcases the humble elegance of American folk furniture. Created on paperboard measuring 31.6 x 40.5 cm, this detailed depiction highlights a simple wooden chest with a single drawer, likely inspired by colonial or early American craftsmanship. Squires employs a mix of watercolor, colored pencil,, and subtle heightening capture the wood's grain, subtle curves, and functional hardware with remarkable precision and warmth. This artwork is part of the *Index of American Design* (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. During the Great Depression, artists like Squires documented everyday objects—furniture, quilts, tools—to celebrate America's rich decorative arts heritage and preserve its cultural identity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it reflects how IAD renderings blended artistic skill with historical documentation, making antique designs accessible and appreciated by modern audiences. The mixed-media technique allows for vibrant yet realistic tones, emphasizing texture and form in a way that photographs couldn't match. Such works not only honor anonymous makers but also remind us of the ingenuity in everyday American life. (198 words)