Doll

Art Historical Context

In the heart of the Great Depression, Raoul Du Bois created *Doll* around 1936 as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a ambitious Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (W). This initiative employed artists across the U.S. to meticulously document everyday objects of American folk art, preserving cultural heritage through detailed watercolor renderings. Du Bois, known for his precise depictions of textiles and ceramics, captured this charming 5-inch-high dolllikely a handmade folk artifact—on paper measuring 27.5 x 22.3 cm, its whimsical form and craftsmanship. Rendered in watercolor, graphite, and gouache, the work showcases a masterful blend of techniques: the fluidity of watercolor for subtle tones, the opacity of gouache for rich highlights, and graphite for fine lines that emphasize texture and detail. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, *Doll* exemplifies the IAD's goal of celebrating vernacular American design, from quilts to toys, as symbols of regional ingenuity and tradition. This piece invites us to appreciate how ordinary objects like dolls embodied storytelling and play in early American life, bridging art, history, and everyday joy. A testament to New Deal-era creativity, it reminds visitors of our shared folk roots.