Chintz
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 29.6 x 22.9 cm (11 5/8 x 9 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.884
Art Historical Context
**Chintz** by George Loughridge (c. 1936) is a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 11⅝ × 9 inches. This intimate work captures the intricate patterns of chintz—a glossy, printed cotton fabric celebrated for its vibrant floral motifs and bold colors, which adorned American homes from the colonial era onward. Loughridge's precise graphite underdrawing combined with luminous watercolor layers brings the textile's texture and sheen to life, showcasing his skill in translating three-dimensional fabrics into two-dimensional art. Created as part of the *Index of Ameri...
About the Artist
George Loughridge
George Loughridge was an American artist active during the 1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal initiative, running from 1935 to 1943, commissioned hundreds of artists across the United States to create meticulously detailed watercolor renderings of everyday American fol...