Hooked Rug
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 41.8 x 67.8 cm (16 7/16 x 26 11/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 24" high; 41" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.11228
Art Historical Context
In the heart of the Great Depression, artist H. Langden Brown the humble charm of American folk art in this vibrant watercolor, gouache, graphite rendering titled *Hooked Rug* (c. 1937). Measuring 41.8 x 67.8 cm, the work meticulously documents a traditional hooked rug—originally 24 inches high by 41 inches longshowcasing its intricate patterns and earthy colors. Brown's precise technique blends fluid watercolor washes with the opacity of gouache and fine graphite lines, creating a lifelike study that highlights the rug's textured loops and bold motifs, evoking the craftsmanship of rural Ameri...
About the Artist
H. Langden Brown
H. Langden Brown (1879–1960) was an American artist best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942. This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create meticulous watercolor renderings of everyday objects, tools, vehicles, and crafts that embodied the nation's folk...