Looking-glass

Art Historical Context

**Looking-Glass** by George Loughridge (c. 1936) captures the elegant simplicity of an early American mirror, or "looking-glass," rendered with meticulous detail in watercolor, colored pencil, and on paper. Measuring approximately 30.5 x 23.2 cm, this work showcases the ornate frame's carved motifs and subtle patina, evoking the craftsmanship of colonial or Federal-era decorative arts. Loughridge, a skilled illustrator, highlights the object's reflective surface and intricate woodwork, inviting viewers to appreciate everyday household treasures as works of art. Created as part of the Index of American Design (IAD)—a New Deal-era Federal Art Project (1935–1942)—this piece documents America's rich folk art heritage during the Great Depression. The IAD commissioned over 15,000 watercolor renderings by artists like Loughridge to preserve vanishing artifacts, blending artistic expression with cultural preservation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection, it reflects a national effort to celebrate indigenous design amid economic hardship. The mixed-media technique allows for vibrant colors in the watercolor washes, precise lines from colored pencil and graphite for textures, and a sense of depth that mimics the original object's three-dimensionality. This approach not only records historical objects but also revives their cultural importance, reminding us of the artistry in America's past.

About the Artist

George Loughridge · 1855–present

George Loughridge was an American artist active during the 1930s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious New Deal initiative, running from 1935 to 1943, commissioned hundreds of artists across the United States to create meticulously detailed watercolor renderings of everyday American fol...