Hobby Horse

Art Historical Context

**Hobby Horse** by Mina Lowry, created around 1940, captures the charm of an American folk through delicate watercolor, graphite, andache on paperboard. 33.5 x 56.7 cm, this rendering meticulously documents a three-dimensional hobby horse—originally 37 1/4 inches long, 11 3/4 inches wide, 16 inches high—oking the playful spirit of childhood pastimes rooted in early American craftsmanship. part of the *Index of American Design*, Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, Lowry's work exemplifies a national effort to record and celebrate everyday American folk art. Over 18,000 such precise illustrations preserved vanishing decorative traditions, from quilts to toys, blending artistic skill with scholarly documentation. Lowry, a skilled illustrator in this initiative, used graphite for fine lines, gouache for opaque vibrancy, and watercolor for subtle tones, creating a lifelike study that highlights the hobby horse's carved wood, painted details, and sturdy form. This piece not only safeguards a slice of vernacular design—hobby horses symbolizing joy and imagination in rural American life—but also underscores the WPA's role in supporting artists during the Great Depression. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art, it invites visitors to appreciate how simple toys reflect broader cultural heritage.

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...