Eagle Bit

Art Historical Context

**Eagle Bit**, created around 1936 by artists Eva Fox and Harry Mannaddell, is a mixed-media work on paper using watercolor, pen and ink, and gouache Measuring 34.8 x 27.7 cm, this piece meticulously renders a dynamic eagle motif—a quintessential symbol in American folk art, evoking patriotism and craftsmanship from the nation's decorative traditions. As part of the *Index of American Design*, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (W) during the Great Depression the artwork documents everyday objects of American material culture. Launched in 1935, the Index employed hundreds of artists to produce over 15,000 watercolor renderings, preserving regional folk designs like weathervanes, carvings, and trade signs before they faded into obscurity. This effort celebrated the ingenuity of anonymous makers and bolstered national pride amid economic hardship. The artists' masterful techniques—fine pen lines for intricate details, layered gouache for bold colors, and translucent watercolors for depth—create a hyper-realistic yet artistic tribute. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, *Eagle Bit* invites us to appreciate how such designs embodied America's spirit of freedom and resilience.