Hooked Rug (Cotton)

Art Historical Context

**Hooked Rug (Cot)** by Charlotte Angus (c. 1940) is a vibrant watercolor and graphite rendering on paper, capturing the intricate details of a traditional American craft. Measuring 35.5 x 44.8 cm (14 x 17 5/8 in.), this depicts an original cotton hooked rug that spanned 38 inches wide by45 3/4 inches long. Part of the National Gallery of's collection from the Index of American DesignDepartment: CG-W), it showcases Angus's meticulous technique in preserving everyday artistry through precise shading and color. Created during the Great Depression era, this piece stems from the Index of American Design, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project (1935–1942) that employed artists to document the nation's folk and decorative arts. Hooked rugs, made by pulling dyed fabric strips through a coarse backing like burlap, embodied rural thrift and creativity—often crafted by women using recycled materials for practical floor coverings or wall hangings. Angus's rendering highlights the cultural significance of these rugs as emblems of American vernacular design, blending utility with bold patterns. It invites visitors to appreciate how federal initiatives like the IAD safeguarded disappearing crafts, bridging historical homemaking traditions with modern appreciation.

About the Artist

Charlotte Angus · 1911–1989

Charlotte Angus (1911–1989) was an American artist renowned for her meticulous watercolors and graphite drawings that captured the essence of American folk art and historical artifacts. Born on February 2, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri, she relocated to Philadelphia at a young age, where she immersed herself in the city's vibrant artistic community. Angus honed her skills at the University of the...