Cupboard

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the National Gallery of Art, where Jack Bochner's *Cupboard* (c. 1937) offers a charming glimpse into America's design heritage. This precise pen and ink drawing on paper, measuring 21.7 x 26.9 cm, meticulously captures a stately cupboard standing 54 inches high,44 inches wide, and16¾ inches deep. Bochner's fine lines and meticulous shading highlight the piece's architectural details—from paneled doors to sturdy proportions—evoking the craftsmanship of early American furniture. Created as part of the Index of American Design a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression, this work belongs to a vital effort (1935–1942) to document and celebrate everyday American folk art and decorative objects. Artists like Bochner produced thousands of renderings to preserve regional traditions amid economic hardship, blending artistic skill with cultural advocacy. Pen and ink's stark clarity was ideal for these studies, emphasizing form, texture, and historical authenticity without color's distraction. This cupboard rendering not only showcases 18th- or 19th-century vernacular design but also underscores the WPA's role in employing artists and fostering national pride. A testament to ingenuity, it invites us to appreciate the humble beauty in our shared past. (198 words)