Chest with Two Drawers

Art Historical Context

**Chest with Two Drawers** *Isabella Ruth Doerfler, c. 1937* Watercolor, gouache, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard, 30.3 × 30.9 cm. Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art. Created around 1937 by artist Isabella Ruth Doerfler, this vibrant rendering captures the modest elegance of a traditional American chest with two drawers. Part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA)—the work exemplifies the program's mission during the Great Depression to document and celebrate everyday American craftsmanship through meticulous, full-color illustrations. Doerfler employed a rich mix of watercolor and gouache for luminous color and texture, enhanced by precise graphite sketches and pen-and-ink details to highlight the chest's form, joinery, and subtle decorative elements. This multi-medium approach on sturdy paperboard allowed for accurate replication of historical furniture designs, often rooted in colonial or folk traditions, preserving details that might otherwise fade from view. As a cultural treasure in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the Index's lasting legacy: over 15,000 renderings that safeguard America's decorative arts heritage, bridging artistry and history for future generations to appreciate.