Letter Box
1940
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 54.2 x 43.3 cm (21 5/16 x 17 1/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.13724
Art Historical Context
**Letter Box** by Rocco Navato, created in 1940, is a captivating rendering from the Index of American Design, a monumental WPA-era project that preserved America's folk art and decorative heritage during the Great Depression. This depiction of a traditional letter box—likely a humble yet essential household or postal fixture—captures the ingenuity of everyday American craftsmanship, showcasing vernacular design from the nation's past. Navigato, an accomplished artist in the Federal Art Project, employed watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper to meticulously document the object's form...