Figurine

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the National Gallery of Art's showcase of the Index of American! "Figurine," created around 1940 by artist Mina Lowry, is a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering on paperboard, measuring 35.6 x 24.9 cm. Lowry, one of many talented artists commissioned for this project, meticulously captured the essence of an American design object—a figurine—highlighting its form, color, and texture with remarkable precision. This work emerged from the Index of American Design, a Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) the Great Depression (193–1942). Artists like Lowry produced over 15,000 detailed illustrations of everyday American folk art, crafts, and decorative objects, preserving cultural heritage at a time when many artifacts faced neglect or destruction. The medium—vibrant watercolor layered over fine graphite lines on sturdy paperboard—allowed for faithful, life-sized reproductions that emphasized both artistic beauty and historical accuracy. Today, "Figurine" stands as a testament to America's diverse creative legacy, bridging fine art and design. Lowry's skilled technique not only documents a charming artifact but invites us to appreciate the ingenuity of anonymous makers, making this piece a delightful window into mid-20th-century cultural documentation.

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...