Doll

Art Historical Context

**Doll** by Verna Tallmanc. 1937) captures the charming simplicity of an American folk art doll, rendered in watercolor, graphite, andache on paper. Measuring 32.5 x 24.2 cm, this detailed study depicts a 7½-inch-high original object, highlighting its delicate form and handmade qualities. Tallman's precise draftsmanship brings the doll's features to life, blending soft washes of color with fine graphite lines for texture and depth. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), a WPA Federal Art Project from the 1930s, this work documents everyday American crafts during the Great Depression. The IAD commissioned artists like Tallman to produce vibrant, accurate renderings of folk objects, preserving cultural heritage amid economic hardship and promoting national pride in indigenous design traditions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, **Doll** exemplifies the IAD's legacy: over 18,000 watercolor plates that celebrate vernacular artistry. Gouache's opacity adds richness to the doll's surfaces, while watercolor evokes a sense of whimsy, inviting visitors to appreciate the anonymous makers behind such treasured heirlooms. A delightful window into 19th- or early 20th-century American childhood. (198 words)

About the Artist

Verna Tallman · 1855–present

Verna Tallman remains a figure about whom the historical record has preserved very little. No birth or death dates have been established, and her nationality and training are not documented in major reference sources. The works attributed to her suggest an engagement with decorative or illustrative traditions, though without more contextual documentation it is difficult to place her within a spec...