Dress

Art Historical Context

**Dress** by Mina Lowry (c. 1941) is a captivating watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard, measuring 29 x 22.9 cm. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD), this work meticulously captures the form and details of an American dress, transforming a functional garment into a work of art that preserves cultural heritage. The IAD, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project from the 1930s and 1940s, artists across the U.S. to document everyday objects, crafts, and reflective of American life. Lowry's piece exemplifies this mission, blending precise graphite outlines with vibrant gouache and watercolor to highlight textures, patterns, and craftsmanship. Dating to around 1941, it evokes the evolving fashion of World War II-era America, where practicality met elegance amid wartime rationing. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, this rendering underscores the artistic value in ordinary items, celebrating regional styles and the ingenuity of American designers. Visitors will appreciate how Lowry's skilled techniques breathe life into history, inviting us to admire the artistry in what we wear.

About the Artist

Mina Lowry · 1894–1942

Mina Lowry (1894–1942), an American artist born in Canada, emerged as a prominent portrait painter whose career bridged traditional portraiture and the documentation of American folk art. Immigrating to Buffalo, New York, with her family around 1901, she honed her skills early on, winning first prize for modeling at the Albright Art School and studying under the esteemed Florence J. Bach. Lowry fu...