Handkerchief
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 26 x 23.2 cm (10 1/4 x 9 1/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16795
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate *Handkerchief*, a meticulous rendering by George Constantine created between 1935 and 1942 as part of the Index of American Design. This-era project, launched during the Great Depression, commissioned artists to document everyday American folk art and decorative objects through vibrant, accurate watercolors. Constantine's work captures the essence a humble yet elegant textile, preserving a slice of vernacular craftsmanship for future generations. Crafted with watercolor, gouache, and on paper (26 x 23.2 cm), the piece exemplifies the Index's signature style: hyper-detailed...