Doll - "Lulu"

Art Historical Context

**Doll - "Lulu" by Mary E. Humes (c. 1936)** Created as part of the Index of American Design, a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s, this delicate watercolor, gouache, and graphite rendering on paper captures the charm of a folk doll named "Lulu." Launched in 1935 amid the Great Depression, the Index employed artists like Mary E. Humes to meticulously document everyday American objects—from quilts to toys—preserving the nation's cultural heritage through over 15,000 vibrant illustrations. Humes' work exemplifies this mission, transforming a simple doll into a testament to early 20th-century craftsmanship. The mixed media technique shines here: graphite outlines provide precise contours, while watercolor offers subtle transparency and gouache delivers rich, opaque colors, evoking the doll's fabric textures and playful personality. Measuring 35.8 x 28.1 cm, this intimate study highlights the artistic ingenuity of American folk traditions, where homemade dolls like Lulu served as cherished companions for children, blending utility with whimsy. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art's Index of American Design collection, "Lulu" reminds us of the era's creative resilience, inviting visitors to appreciate how ordinary objects embody our shared history.

About the Artist

Mary E. Humes

**Mary E. Humes (1911–2001)** was an American artist best known for her meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a landmark Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Active primarily in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Humes produced detailed watercolor, graphite, pen and ink, and gouache renderings of everyday American folk art ...