Chintz
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 29.9 x 22.9 cm (11 3/4 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
1943.8.3332
Art Historical Context
**Chintz** by George Loughridge, created around 1936, captures the vibrant charm of traditional American textile design as part of the Index of American Design. This WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1942) employed artists across the U.S. to meticulously document everyday objects, folk art, and crafts that embodied the nation's cultural heritage during the Great Depression. Lough's rendering likely depicts a classic chintz pattern—ossy, multicolored printed cotton fabric popularized in 18th- and 19th-century households for curtains, upholstery, and clothing—highlighting its enduring appeal in Amer...
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...