Doll

Art Historical Context

**Doll**, a captivating watercolor, graphite, and gouache by Raoul Du Bois from around 1936, is a gem from the Index of American Design. This WPA Federal Art Project, launched during the Great Depression, commissioned artists to meticulously document everyday American folk art objects through plates. Du Bois, skilled in precise yet evocative depictions, captured a charming 24-inch-high doll, transforming it into a vibrant study on paper measuring 28.8 x 23 cm. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, exemplifies how art served national preservation efforts amid economic hardship. The mixed media—watercolor for luminous color, gouache for opacity and texture, and graphite for fine lines—allowed Du Bois to convey the doll's three-dimensional form and subtle details with remarkable fidelity. This technique not only highlighted the object's craftsmanship but also elevated folk art to fine art status, celebrating America's vernacular creativity. Dolls like this one often embodied cultural narratives, from childhood playthings to symbols of domestic life. Through the Index, works like this doll remind us of the era's spirit of ingenuity and community, inviting visitors to appreciate the artistry in the ordinary. A testament to 1930s cultural documentation, it bridges history and heritage with delightful precision. (198 words)