Match Safe
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 27.9 x 24 cm (11 x 9 7/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.12599
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Match Safe*, a captivating watercolor, graphite, and gouache by Thomas Holloway, created around 1936. This delicate work, measuring 27.9 x 24 cm, depicts a humble yet ingenious American household object—a protective container for matches, often crafted with folk artistry in the early 20th century.'s precise technique captures its form and textures with vibrant gouache highlights and graphite details, blending realism with artistic flair to celebrate everyday design. As part of the Index of American Design, a New Deal-era Federal Art Project (1935–1942), this piece holds profound h...