Crewel Embroidery
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 54.5 x 38.9 cm (21 7/16 x 15 5/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.15025
Art Historical Context
Step into the intricate world of American folk art with *Crewel Embroidery*, captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paper by Helen D. Bashian created between 1935 1942. Measuring 54.5 x 38.9 cm, this delicate study showcases the artist's meticulous hand in capturing the textured elegance of traditional crewel work—a form of embroidery using wool yarns on linen fabric, beloved in colonial America for its bold floral and vine motifs. This piece is a gem from the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project launched during the Great Depression. Artists like Bashia...