Mahogany Desk with Bookcase Top

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Mahogany Desk with Bookcase Top*, a meticulously rendered depiction by artist George Loughridge in 1936. This, gouache, colored pencil, and graphite on paper (30.4 x 22.9 cm) captures the elegant lines and rich grain of a classic American furniture piece, showcasing its functional beauty with a bookcase top for scholarly pursuits. Created as part of the Index of American Design—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1942—this work documents the nation's design heritage during the Great Depression. Artists like Loughridge produced thousands of detailed illustrations of everyday objects, tools, and crafts, preserving cultural artifacts through vibrant, precise renderings. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, it highlights the craftsmanship of American cabinetry, likely from the 18th or 19th century, evoking a time when mahogany symbolized status and refinement. Loughridge's masterful use of mixed media brings the wood's luster to life: watercolors and gouache provide depth and sheen, while colored pencil and graphite add fine details to moldings and hardware. This technique not only ensures archival accuracy but also infuses the functional desk with artistic vitality, inviting visitors to appreciate the intersection of utility and artistry in American life.

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...