Eye Shades

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 vast archive of over 15,000 renderings documenting America's folk art, crafts, and decorative objects. Launched in 1935, the Index employed artists nationwide to preserve cultural heritage through meticulous watercolor studies, ensuring that everyday items like these eye shades were not lost to time. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it reflects the era's blend of practicality and emerging modernism. The medium's significance lies in its dual technique: graphite for sharp outlines and watercolor for luminous depth, mimicking the reflective quality of glass and metal. This approach not only celebrated American ingenuity but also elevated utilitarian design, offering visitors a window into 1930s life and the WPA's role in supporting artists amid economic hardship. A true gem of cultural documentation!

About the Artist

H. Langden Brown · 1879–1960

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...