Eye Shades
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 30.4 x 40 cm (11 15/16 x 15 3/4 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.2249
Art Historical Context
**Eye Shades**, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by H. Langden Brown around 1937, captures sleek design of vintage American eyewear. Measuring 30.4 x 40 cm, this delicate work on paper showcases tinted lenses framed in metal, evoking the stylish sun protection popular in the early 20th century. precise lines and subtle color washes highlight the object's form and functionality, turning everyday design into fine art. Created as part of the *Index of American Design*a groundbreaking Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression—this piece belongs to a va...
About the Artist
H. Langden Brown
H. Langden Brown (1879–1960) was an American artist best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create meticulous watercolor renderings of everyday objects, tools, vehicles, and crafts that embodied the nation's folk...