Female Figure

Art Historical Context

Behold the graceful *Female Figure* by Al Curry, created around 1937. This delicate watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil work on paper measures 45.5 x 36.7 cm and captures an elegant female form with fluid lines and subtle shading. As part of the National Gallery Art's Index of American collection, it exemplifies the precision and artistry of Depression-era documentation projects. The Index of American Design was flagship initiative of the Works Progress Administration (WPA Federal Art Project, launched in 1935 amid the Great Depression. Hundreds of artists, including Curry, meticulously rendered everyday American folk art, crafts, and design objects to preserve the nation's cultural heritage for future generations. These works weren't originals but faithful, colorful interpretations meant to highlight regional traditions and ingenuity. Curry's mixed-media technique—blending translucent watercolors for depth, graphite for fine outlines, and colored pencils for vibrant accents—brings a lifelike vibrancy to the figure, underscoring the Index's goal of making historical design accessible and alive. Today, it reminds us of America's diverse artistic roots and the WPA's vital role in supporting artists during tough times.

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...