Doll

Art Historical Context

**Doll**, c. 1936, by artist Kapousouz, is a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, measuring 38.3 x 25.8 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a landmark WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942, this work meticulously documents a 12-inch-high American folk doll. During the Great Depression, theAD employed artists across the U.S. to capture everyday objects—folk art, crafts, and designs—preserving cultural heritage through precise, colorful illustrations when originals were fragile or at risk. Kapousouz's technique blends soft watercolor washes for texture and depth with graphite for fine details, evoking the doll's handmade charm and historical whimsy. These renderings weren't mere copies; they highlighted artistic techniques of American makers, from carved wooden features to stitched fabrics, celebrating regional traditions in toys and miniatures. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this piece underscores the IAD's enduring legacy: over 18,000 works that revived appreciation for vernacular design, influencing mid-20th-century American art and identity. A charming window into everyday creativity! (198 words)