Man's Shirt

Art Historical Context

This watercolor and graphite study of a man's shirt, created circa 1936 by Rosalia Lane, offers a meticulous glimpse into American material culture. Executed on paperboard and measuring 11 3/4 by 9 inches, it belongs to the Index of American Design collection at the National Gallery of Art. As part of a Depression-era initiative under the Works Progress Administration, the Index of American Design commissioned artists like Lane to produce highly detailed renderings of American decorative arts, crafts, and everyday objects. These works served both to employ artists during economic hardship and to create a lasting visual record of the nation's design heritage, from furniture and textiles to clothing. Lane's precise use of graphite and watercolor captures the textures, patterns, and construction of the shirt with documentary accuracy, typical of the Index's careful approach. Such artworks not only preserve the appearance of historical garments but also celebrate the artistry in ordinary items, inviting viewers to appreciate the cultural stories embedded in America's folk traditions and daily life.

About the Artist

Rosalia Lane · 1855–present

Rosalia Lane is an artist about whom the historical record preserves very limited information. No confirmed birth or death dates have been established, and the broader circumstances of her training, career, and artistic context remain poorly documented. The works associated with her name indicate a female practitioner whose activity places her within a tradition of accomplished women artists whose...