Comb

Art Historical Context

Vincent Burzy's *Comb* (c. 1936), a precise watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, captures intricate details of an everyday American object from the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection. 29.3 x 23.1 cm, this work exemplifies the meticulous draftsmanship employed to document folk art and decorative crafts during the Great Depression era. Created as part of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Index of American Design (1935–1942) commissioned artists like Burzy to produce over 15,000 watercolor studies of historical American artifacts. These renderings preserved vanishing traditions in design, from quilts to tools, celebrating the nation's cultural heritage amid economic hardship and fostering national pride through art. Burzy's technique—vibrant watercolor for color and texture paired with graphite for fine lines—highlights the comb's form, possibly a folk carving or utilitarian piece, underscoring the beauty in humble objects. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how everyday items embodied American ingenuity and craftsmanship.