Coverlet (Wool)
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 35.6 x 28.1 cm (14 x 11 1/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.682
Art Historical Context
This vibrant watercolor and gouache rendering by Ruth M. Barnes, titled *Coverlet (Wool)* and dated around 1937, captures the intricate patterns of a traditional American wool bedcover. Measuring 14 x 11 1/16 inches, the delicate paper work showcases Barnes's skill in translating the tactile weave and bold motifs of folk textiles into luminous color and precise detail, evoking the warmth and craftsmanship of early American homes. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this piece documents everyday objects that embodied the nation's artistic...
About the Artist
Ruth M. Barnes
Ruth M. Barnes (1880–1954) was an American artist best known for her meticulous watercolor renderings of traditional American folk textiles as part of the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Active during the Great Depression era from roughly 1935 to 1942, Barnes contributed dozens of detailed studies to this ambitious initiative, which em...